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US open: Mixed start to trading in final session of 2020
Wall Street stocks started out the session somewhat mixed on Thursday as market participants got stuck into the year's final day of trading.
Europe close: Shares end 2020 on low note as Covid worries persist
European stocks finished an eminently-forgettable 2020 in the red as tougher Covid restrictions in the UK and new US tariffs on EU products dampened investor enthusiasm.
London close: FTSE 100 suffers worst year since 2008
After a year many of us would rather forget, dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions and the Brexit saga, stocks fell on Thursday, with the top-flight index suffering its worst annual performance since the financial crisis in 2008.
Tribal Group scores five-year contract with Kings College London
Educational software firm Tribal Group said on Thursday that it had signed a £3. 1m, five-year contract with Kings College London to provide the university with its Tribal:Cloud service.
US pre-open: Futures mostly flat ahead of final day of trading for 2020
Wall Street futures were slightly higher ahead of the bell on Thursday as market participants prepared for the year's final day of trading.
Catalyst Media FY pre-tax losses widen on impairment charges
Catalyst Media said on Thursday that pre-tax losses had widened as a result of an impairment charge of £1. 2m of the carrying value of its 20. 54% interest in Sports Information Services.
US imposes tariffs on European goods amid aircraft subsidies dispute
The US government said overnight that it would raise tariffs on certain European goods such as French and German wines amid a long-running dispute over aircraft subsidies.
Countrywide accepts Connells offer, shares surge
Countrywide shares surged on Thursday after the estate agent accepted a sweetened takeover offer from rival Connells which values the group at more than £134m.
Xpediator disposes of EshopWedrop subsidiary
Freight management services provider Xpediator has agreed to sell off its EshopWedrop subsidiary to Inert Logistics.
Europe open: Shares in the red as Covid fears, US tariffs weigh
European stocks started the final trading day of the year in red territory as tougher Covid restrictions in the UK and new US tariffs on EU products weighed on sentiment.
London open: FTSE slides amid Covid worries as pound rallies
London stocks slid in early trade on Thursday amid worries about the Covid-19 pandemic, with most of England now in Tier 4, while a firmer pound also weighed on the top-flight index.
St James House sees EUR deposits decline in December
St James House said on Thursday that it had seen a "steady" performance in its payments division despite witnessing a slowdown in incoming EUR deposits of roughly 18%.
Asia report: Shares mixed as turbulent year ends
Asian shares were mixed on the last day of a turbulent 2020 with as investors pinned their hopes on a global economic recovery over the next 12 months.
Chinese business activity growth slows in December
Chinese business activity growth eased a little in December, according to official figures released on Thursday.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower on final day of the year
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Thursday, with volumes expected to be light and markets in the UK open for just half a day.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Independent shops, Aldi, AJ Bell
Britain’s independent shops had a sales boost in 2020 despite an overall drop in retail spending, as Covid travel restrictions and working from home prompted consumers to shop on local high streets instead of city centres. Data from Barclaycard shows spending at independent food and drink shops, including off-licences, butchers and bakeries, jumped 28. 6% in 2020 compared with a year earlier. - Guardian.
FirstGroup sells 3 Greyhound bus terminals for $137m
Transport operator FirstGroup has sold three Greyhound bus terminals for $137m (£102m) as it rationalises its property portfolio in North America.