Market Pulse
Prolonged period of special dividends ahead at Hays, Credit Suisse says
Analysts at Credit Suisse bumped up their recommendation on shares of Hays, hailing the firm´s growth prospects, cash generation ability and the likelihood of a prolonged period of special dividends.
Results round-up: Barclays, BAE Systems, Centrica, BAT
Barclays posted fourth-quarter results shy of consensus and cut its dividend, as expected, but said it would complete its restructuring six months earlier than previously planned.
Conygar Investment Company to sell property portfolio for £130m
AIM-listed Conygar Investment Company is to sell its investment property portfolio to Regional Commercial Midco (RCM) for £129. 8m, a modest premium to the portfolio’s valuation of £129. 51m at end of last September.
US initial jobless claims rise more than expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week, according to data from the Labor Department.
Industry bodies to collaborate on superfast 5G mobile
Superfast 5G mobile services, with speeds rivalling those of fully-fledged fibre optic connections, were one step closer on Thursday, with a landmark agreement announced between two of the world’s leading mobile industry bodies.
Europe midday: Stocks flat after weak data in Germany, China
Europe's main stock market benchmarks were flat come midday Thursday as traders weighed a dip in German consumer confidence versus some positive news out of France.
North Korea demands end to Kim Jong-nam death investigation
Malaysia has been accused by North Korea of behaving in a "sinister" way after opening an investigation into the assassination of leader Kim Jong-un's brother, Kim Jong-nam.
NAHL Group rallies on MoJ personal injury claims changes
NAHL Group, the AIM-listed owner of the National Accident Helpline, saw its shares jump following press reports on the Ministry of Justice's proposed changes to personal injury claims.
Challenger bank Monzo raises £20m
Technology-focussed challenger bank Monzo revealed details of a mammoth new funding round on Thursday, confirming details that had been circulating in City chatter since earlier in the week.
London midday: Stocks drift amid avalanche of earnings
London stocks drifted modestly lower on Thursday as investors sifted through an avalanche of corporate news and digested the latest retail sales figures from the CBI and overnight minutes from the Federal Reserve.
US pre-open: Stocks seen flat to slightly higher as oil prices gain
US futures pointed to a flat to slightly higher open on Wall Street, with firmer oil prices likely to lend some support.
BlueRock Diamonds says claims over expenses by former CEO are 'without merit'
Shares fell over 8% in BlueRock Diamonds on Monday as the miner said that following an investigation over claims for expenses at its one of its subsidiaries by a former chief executive were “without merit”.
Morgan Sindall swings to profit as all divisions perform well
Construction services group Morgan Sindall swung to a profit in 2016 thanks to a solid performance in all its divisions.
GlaxoSmithKline hails success in asthma medication trial
GlaxoSmithKline reported encouraging results from clinical tests on asthma sufferers of its Relvar Ellipta inhaler treatment.
Asia report: Most markets lower as Fed hints at rate rise
Asian markets finished mostly in the red on Thursday, after a mixed bag on Wall Street overnight as investors sifted through minutes from the latest Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which suggested a rates rise stateside was imminent.
Nostra Terra buys oil producing assets in Texas for £60,000
Oil and gas explorer Nostra Terra has bought producing assets in the Permian Basin in Texas for £60,000 and has also received $100,000 for the sale of its stake in the Chisholm Trail prospect in Oklahoma.
German GDP speeds up in Q4 but slowdown seen ahead
Germany's economy picked up in the last three months of 2016, driven by consumer spending, even as economists pointed to other indicators which hinted at weaker spending ahead.
UK retail sales rebound in February, CBI finds
UK retail sales rebounded slightly in February after slipping at the beginning of the year, according to the CBI's Distributive Trades Survey.
Nissan CEO Ghosn steps down in board reshuffle
Japanese car maker Nissan Motor will have a new CEO in April as longstanding chief Carlos Ghosn will stand down, making way for current co-CEO Hiroto Saikawa after leading the firm for almost two decades.