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Thursday newspaper round-up: Pensions gap, access to cash, energy industry
Unions have called on the government to take urgent action to fix a “whopping pensions gap”, as research showed women working in many industries have half the retirement savings of men. The TUC said Thursday was “gender pensions gap day”, when female pensioners in Great Britain start getting paid after effectively going four and a half months without retirement income. - Guardian.
UK consumer confidence reaches lowest level ever in May
Consumer confidence in the UK dipped even further in May, according to a long-running survey released on Friday, making for the lowest overall confidence score since records began.
US close: Stocks fall further as growth concerns linger
Equities on Wall Street closed lower again on Thursday, after both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 booked their biggest single-day losses in almost two years in Wednesday’s session.
Europe close: Stocks hit by sell-off in US, currency strength
European shares finished lower on Thursday following a sell-off in US equities the night before and as recent strength in the Greenback faltered.
ShoreCap stays at 'buy' for most UK banking groups, prefers Barclays and Virgin Money UK
Analysts at ShoreCap reiterated their 'buy' recommendation for shares of the majority of the UK's main banking groups - with the exception of HSBC.
London close: Stocks fall further as economic jitters grow
London stocks were weaker at the close again on Thursday, having taken their cue from a selloff on Wall Street overnight amid growing concerns about global growth.
Friday preview: UK retail sales, euro area consumer confidence in focus
The market spotlight at the end of the week will be on UK retail sales figures for the month of April, as economists try to discern how the consumer is holding up and reacting to the uncertainty at home and overseas.
Philly Fed index slumps in May amid slower inventory building
Factory sector activity in the US mid-Atlantic region cooled significantly in May, largely as a result of firms slower stockbuilding.
Wedbush slashes Tesla price target on China headwinds
Wedbush slashed its price target on Tesla on Thursday to $1000 from $1400 as it argued that China headwinds are hard to ignore.
Broker tips: Auto Trader, Future
Analysts at Deutsche Bank lowered their target price on automotive classified advertising business Auto Trader from 800. 0p to 720. 0p on Thursday ahead of the group's full-year results on 26 May.
Director dealings: Knights Group execs make purchases, Goldplat non-exec sells shares
Knights Group was at the top of the list of director buys on Thursday, after it disclosed a number of purchases, including two made by its chief executive and chief financial officers.
FTSE 250 movers: PageGroup goes ex-div; HomeServe surges on takeover
London’s FTSE 250 was down 1. 5% at 19,657. 34 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
ITM Power wins £9.3m contract under government net-zero programme
Energy storage and clean fuel technology company ITM Power has been awarded a contract by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), it announced on Thursday.
US existing home sales dip in April, more declines anticipated
Existing home sales in the States fell in April and the slowdown in activity appeared set to continue, a leading business lobby group said and some economists were even more downbeat.
US open: Dow Jones extends losses in early trade
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start early on Thursday after both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 booked their biggest single-day losses in almost two years in the previous session.
Berenberg slashes target price on 'mispriced' Future
Analysts at Berenberg slashed their target price on media company Future from 5,225. 0p to 3,600. 0p on Thursday, stating it was currently "a mispriced share".
Deutsche Bank lowers target price on Auto Trader
Analysts at Deutsche Bank lowered their target price on automotive classified advertising business Auto Trader from 800. 0p to 720. 0p on Thursday ahead of the group's full-year results on 26 May.
FTSE 100 movers: Airtel Africa rises; Royal Mail under pressure
London’s FTSE 100 was down 2. 4% to 7,262. 03 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Barclays backing Issa brothers bid for Boots - report
Barclays is reportedly leading of group of banks backing TDR Capital and the Issa brothers on their multibillion pound bid for the Boots chemist chain.
US jobless claims jump past forecasts during latest week
The US jobs market continues to be quite tight, the latest figures for unemployment claims filings showed.