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Europe midday: Investors fret over rising global Covid-19 cases
European shares were lower at midday as investors fretted over rising coronavirus deaths Japan, the US and Continent.
Berenberg stays at 'buy' on AstraZeneca, positive on antibody treatment
Analysts at Berenberg struck a positive note on AstraZeneca shares after the drugmaker published full immunogenicity data earlier in the session for its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, AZD 1222.
EU fails to control Big Tech, claims auditor
An European Union external auditor warned that the EU fails to tame Big Tech because it moves too slowly to tackle new issues that arise and lacks legal muscle to restrain companies such as Google and Facebook for anti competitive behaviour.
Macfarlane sees annual profit broadly unchanged
Macfarlane Group said it expected annual profit would be broadly in line with the year before after sales were better than expected.
Asia report: Markets finish mixed as investors weigh vaccine news
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Thursday, with traders balancing optimism around the latest Covid-19 vaccine news with concerns around the short-term economic impacts of the pandemic.
Accesso H1 revenues ahead of revised expectations
Technology solutions provider Accesso said on Thursday it had delivered first-half revenues of $24. 6m, ahead of revised expectations.
Kingfisher Q3 sales surge on booming lockdown DIY demand
B&Q owner Kingfisher reported a strong rise in third quarter sales driven by online demand as consumers spent the coronavirus lockdown improving their homes.
Cineworld said to be considering CVA, shares slide
Cineworld shares slumped on Thursday following a report the cinema chain is considering a company voluntary arrangement to help it stay afloat until the Spring.
Competition watchdog fines Comparethemarket £18m
Comparethemarket has been fined nearly £18m by the Competition and Markets Authority for artificially inflating home insurance premiums.
Syncona reports improved performance for past six months as clinical trials resume
Healthcare company Syncona reported a “robust” performance for the six months up to 30 September in which its net assets reached a value of £1,366. 7m at 203,4p per share and a net asset value total return of 9. 6% in the period.
Jet2 swings to loss as Covid takes its toll
Jet2 said on Thursday that it swung to a pre-tax loss in the first half as it took a hit from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mitie holds back guidance after first-half profit drop
Mitie failed to provide financial guidance for the year as the facilities management company reported a 44% drop in first-half profit.
Inspecs buys German eyewear firm for £85m
Eyewear maker Inspecs said it was buying German rival Eschenbach for €94. 8m (£85m) as it looks to become a major player on the global market.
Thyssenkrupp swings to FY loss, announces more job cuts
German steel firm Thyssenkrupp swung to a loss on Thursday, leading the group to cut jobs amid increased pressure on the company as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
AstraZeneca vaccine shows promise among elderly
AstraZeneca's potential Covid-19 vaccine showed a strong immune response in older people, suggesting it may protect some of those most susceptible to the virus, trial data showed.
Drax refinances revolving credit facility
Drax has completed the refinancing of its revolving credit facility, it announced on Thursday, reporting that the new £300m matures in 2025, with an option to extend by one year.
Keller continues to outperform market expectations
Geotechnical specialist Keller said on Thursday that it expects to outperform current market expectations for 2020.
Royal Mail reports loss as costs outweigh parcel boom
Royal Mail swung to a first-half loss as redundancy and Covid-19 costs more than offset booming parcel deliveries that outstripped letters for the first time.
Finsbury predicts profit increase as sales improve
Finsbury Food predicted annual profit would rise as it reported improving sales performance in the first few months of the year.
Europe open: Shares lower on Covid woes
European shares opened the session in glum mood on Thursday as news that schools in New York were closing in response to a surge in coronavirus cases and a rise in deaths on the Continent hit sentiment.