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Covid-19: UK self-employed to receive 80% of salary
Self-employed workers hit by the coronavirus crisis will receive a government grant worth 80% of earnings under a new scheme unveiled on Thursday, but would have to wait until June to get the cash, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday.
US close: Stock market rally extends into third day
Shares on Wall Street finished higher for a third consecutive session after the head of the country's central bank assured investors that more could be done if needed to help the economy through the fallout of the coronavirus epidemic.
Friday preview: Consumer confidence, US House vote in focus
The focus in financial markets at the end of the week will be on a raft on consumer confidence surveys due out in the US as well as on the Continent.
Europe close: Stocks add to gains as ECB, Fed broaden commitment
Stocks across the Continent added to the previous day's gains after the head of the US central bank reassured investors that we "will not run out of ammunition".
Howden Joinery suspends dividend, guidance, buyback amid Covid-19
Howden Joinery said on Thursday that it is suspending its share buyback programme and dividend and withdrawing guidance due to the coronavirus, but also that it is reopening some of its depots following further government guidance.
London close: Stocks finish higher as BoE hints at further asset purchases
London stocks turned around to finish higher in afternoon trading on Thursday, as investors digested the latest scheduled announcement from the Bank of England and record US initial jobless claims numbers.
MC Mining suspends coal production and pay for non-essential staff
MC Mining announced the lockdown and suspension of coal production on Thursday, following a directive from the South African government requiring a 21-day national lockdown, effective midnight from 26 March to 16 April, in a bid to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
G20 pledges to do "whatever it takes" to tackle Covid-19 pandemic
The G20 insisted on Thursday it would do “whatever it takes” to overcome the coronavirus outbreak.
STV cancels dividend, cuts costs amid Covid crisis
STV updated the market on its trading and the steps it was taking to remain financially resilient in light of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on Thursday.
Glencore says smaller assets impacted by Covid-19
Mining company Glencore said on Thursday that while its larger operations have not been materially impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, a number of its smaller assets have had to restrict or halt operations.
M&G Credit Income trust postpones AGM
M&G Credit Income Investment Trust said on Thursday that, in view of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic and the latest guidance from the government, it has decided to postpone the upcoming annual general meeting due to be held in London on 30 March.
AIQ shares return to trading after acquisition of AI Codes
Special purpose acquisition company AIQ announced on Thursday that its entire issued ordinary share capital was being readmitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List, and to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.
Synthomer acquisition of Omnova cleared, board suspends divi
Synthomer announced on Thursday that the conditions attached to the European Commission's clearance decision over its acquisition of Omnova Solutions had been satisfied, and as such the deal was now expected to complete by 1 April.
Independent Oil swings to profit as it continues core project work
UK gas-focussed development and production company Independent Oil and Gas reported a post-tax profit of £15m in its final results on Thursday, swinging from a loss of £5. 6m.
1PM awaits more clarity on Covid-19 impact before deciding on dividend
1PM, a specialist provider of finance facilities to UK SMEs, said on Thursday that it will defer a decision on its final dividend until the market situation and effects of the coronavirus outbreak are clearer.
Future agrees to sell titles as it looks to clinch TI Media takeover
Magazine publisher Future is in talks to sell three titles, after the competition watchdog gave its £140m acquisition of TI Media a conditional green light.
ECB rules out using eurozone debt crisis tool for Covid-19 - reports
The European Central Bank has reportedly ruled out using the emergency Outright Monetary Transactions scheme to tackle the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
Breedon suspends operations across UK sites
Breedon Group has temporarily suspended production at the majority of its UK sites, the construction materials specialist announced on Thursday.
BoE keeps door open to further increase in asset purchases
Rate-setters at the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street warned on Thursday that a "sharp" contraction in economic activity around the globe was likely, alongside a "rapid" rise in unemployment across many economies.
Deutsche Bank cuts price targets for Flutter, GVC and William Hill
Deutsche Bank cut its price targets for Flutter, GVC and William Hill to take account of the wave of cancelled sporting events caused by the Covid-19 crisis.