Market Pulse
Higher inflation, US uncertainty weigh on German consumer confidence, GfK says
Increased uncertainty about the new US administration and higher inflation darkened German consumers' mood in February, a widely-followed barometre revealed.
Koovs on the up as Indian retailer launches athleisure collection
Shares in Koovs rose on Thursday as the AIM-listed Indian online fashion retailer said it has launched an athleisure collection called Masaba X Koovs.
Edenville Energy secures washing plant and crusher to start coal production
Edenville Energy has secured a coal washing plant and crusher in order to start coal production at its Rukwa project in Tanzania.
National Express hikes dividend 10% as focus moves away from UK
Revenue for National Express rose in 2016 partly due to the North America business and recent acquisitions while the bus operator remains confident in its outlook as it hiked its dividend by 10%.
Genus H1 revenue rises, although breeding division slows
Genus’ half year revenue rose and although its ABS breeding division was "disappointing", the animal genetics firm expects overall performance for the 2017 financial year to be in line with guidance.
Halfords skids on Peel Hunt downgrade
Halfords slumped on Thursday as Peel Hunt downgraded its stance on the stock to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’ and cut the price target to 325p from was 350p.
Morgan Advanced Materials revenue rises as it remains on track with operational strategy
Morgan Advanced Materials' revenue for 2016 rose despite “challenging” trading conditions in the second half of the year as it remains on track with its operational strategy.
Sterling and FTSE help Rathbone Brothers finish strong
Rathbone Brothers posted its preliminary results for the 2016 calendar year on Thursday, with total funds under management sitting at £34. 2bn at 31 December, up 17. 1% year-on-year.
Europe open: Stocks edge higher as investors digest Fed minutes, French politics
Europe's main stock market benchmarks saw slight gains at the start of trading on Thursday as traders digested the minutes of the US central bank's most recent policy meeting, released overnight, and the latest news on the French political front.
Inmarsat boosted by Macquarie upgrade
Satellite communications company Inmarsat got a boost on Thursday as Macquarie upgraded the stock to ‘outperform’ from 'neutral' and gave it a target price of 850p, saying it may at an inflection point.
Playtech ups full year dividend 15% as 2017 starts off well
Playtech, the provider of online gaming and financial trading software, reported strong annual profits growth last year and has begun 2017 on a good footing.
KAZ Minerals digs up stronger full-year earnings
KAZ Minerals posted its audited results for the 2016 calendar year on Thursday, with gross EBITDA rising to $492m, from $208m in 2015, which the board said was driven by performance at the Bozshakol and Aktogay assets.
Tesla reports smaller loss than expected in Q4
Elon Musk's Tesla Motors reported revenue which was higher than analysts expected on Wednesday, as well as shortening its loss for the quarter to $0. 69 per share.
Rentokil full-year profit, revenue up
Rentokil Initial posted a rise in pre-tax profit for 2016 as revenue grew and the group benefited from the weakness of the pound.
Slower wind means lower performance for Greencoat
Wind energy infrastructure investor Greencoat UK Wind posted its final results for 2016 on Thursday, reporting that its portfolio of 19 wind farm investments generated 978. 1GWh of electricity - 6% below budget - which the board said reflected average wind speed across the UK being 6% below the long term mean.
Government sells further shares in Lloyds Banking Group
The government has sold off a further chunk of shares in Lloyds Banking Group, it revealed on Thursday.
Relx FY revenues rise, to spend £700m on share buybacks
Relx, formerly known as Reed Elsevier, reported a rise in full-year underlying revenue and operating profit and said it plans to spend £700m on share buybacks.
London open: Stocks nudge lower as investors sift through earnings; Barclays gains
London stocks nudged lower in early trade on Thursday as investors sifted through a raft of corporate news and digested the latest minutes from the Federal Reserve.
Glencore's earnings rise as net debt narrows more than expected
Anglo-Swiss miner Glencore slashed its losses and net debt as it successfully firmed up its balance sheet following the downturn in commodities a year ago.
Centrica revenue dips but results remain strong
Energy and utility services company Centrica posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 December 2016 on Thursday, with adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings both up 4% to £1. 52bn and £895m respectively, and adjusted earnings per share falling 2% to 16. 8p.