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Lloyds debt provision up £2.4bn as profits plunge on grim outlook
Lloyds Bank set aside a further £2. 4bn for bad debts in the second quarter as it swung to a heavy first-half loss and braced for a “significant deterioration” in the economic outlook amid the coronavirus pandemic.
US Q2 GDP drops by 32.9%
Economic activity in the US collapsed during the second quarter, even if at a marginally slower than expected pace, alongside a fall in prices.
Initial US jobless claims stable over latest week
Initial jobless claims in the US were little changed during the preceding week, but secondary claims jumped, possibly underlining the difficulty of rejoining the labour force.
Europe close: Stocks crater as dire GDP data sinks lenders' shares
Stocks across Europe reeled as investors digested data showing that German gross domestic product fell at its quickest pace on record since at least 1970 during the second quarter of 2020.
Ultra Electronics shares break out after firm signals 'very good visibility'
Ultra Electronics resumed dividend payments after recovering "very good visibility" for the back half of the year.
London close: Stocks finish weaker after Germany, US GDP figures
London stocks finished well into the red on Thursday, dipping below the 6,000 point level, following a disastrous GDP release from the United States, and disappointing results from the likes of Lloyds.
Friday preview: US tech earnings, Chinese manufacturing, Natwest in focus
The focus at the end of the week will be on a raft of earnings in the technology space out of the US, alongside a first reading on Chinese manufacturing sector conditions for July.
Broker tips: Hipgnosis Songs Fund, Hastings, Taylor Wimpey
Analysts at Liberum slightly raised their target price on intellectual property investor Hipgnosis Songs Fund from 116p to 130p on Thursday, stating the group was in the right place at the right time.
UK government extends Covid-19 self-isolation to 10 days from 7
The UK government has extended the quarantine period for anyone who tests positive or shows symptoms of having Covid-19 from 7 days to 10 days.
Director dealings: AO World CEO ups stake
AO World said on Thursday that chief executive and founder John Roberts had purchased 882,350 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed online household appliance retailer.
Canaccord upgrades Taylor Wimpey to 'buy', expects special dividends to resume in 2022
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity upgraded their recommendation for shares of Taylor Wimpey from 'hold' to 'buy' following recent share price falls despite the group's "strong" balance sheet.
FTSE 250 movers: Equiniti slumps; Ultra Electronics gains on results
London’s FTSE 250 was down 1. 3% at 17,017. 05 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Europa Metals shares slide as it responds to Wednesday boom
Europe-focussed lead-zinc and silver developer Europa Metals responded to a “significant increases” in its stock since the completion of its July general meeting on Thursday.
James Halstead confirms second dividend as markets recover
Commercial flooring company James Halstead updated the market on the financial year ended 30 June on Thursday, reporting a recovery in demand in its UK business, to around 80% of the prior year in June, and declaring a second interim dividend.
US open: Stocks tumble as GDP plunges in Q2
Wall Street stocks recorded some heavy losses at the bell on Thursday after an epic plunge in second-quarter gross domestic product and another week's worth of jobless claims figures.
Thursday broker round-up
Tullow Oil: Berenberg downgrades to hold with a target price of 40. 0p.
Surveys point to exceedingly bleak outlook for UK employment
Business sentiment picked up in the UK during July, a closely-followed survey revealed, but the details continued to point to an exceedingly sombre outlook for employment.
FTSE 100 movers: Lloyds slumps on results; BAE bounces
London’s FTSE 100 was down 2. 5% at 5,978. 45 in afternoon trade on Thursday, extending earlier losses on the back of dire US GDP data.
UK furloughed workers to get full redundancy pay under law change
Furloughed workers who lose their jobs during the coronavirus crisis will be eligible for redundancy pay based on their normal wages under new laws that will take effect on Friday.
EU warns of syringe shortages if Covid-19 vaccine found
The European Union warned of the a potential shortages of syringes, wipes and protective gear needed for a mass Covid-19 vaccination programme and called on member states to buy the required equipment as a bloc.