Market Pulse
US initial jobless claims unexpectedly rise
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, according to figures released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
US private sector adds 250,000 jobs in December
Private sector employment in the US unexpectedly rose in December, according to data released by ADP on Thursday.
Melrose sees future boost to earnings, Nortek disposals from Trump tax cut
Melrose Industries said US tax cuts signed off by Donald Trump at the end of last year will reduce its group effective tax rate for 2018.
Europe midday: Stocks continue to power higher
Stocks are continuing to power ahead come midday on the back of strong survey data out of the euro area and despite a renewed move higher in the single currency.
Europe open: Stocks jump, PMIs show pick-up in activity fastest since 2006
Stocks have started the morning with sharp gains, riding higher on the coattails of another day of record closes on Wall Street and upbeat readings on services sector activity in China and the euro area.
Aldi reports bumper Christmas as 2017 sales top £10bn
Sales at German discount retailer Aldi grew 15% on the year in December, helping to push its total sales in the UK and Ireland in 2017 to more than £10bn for the first time.
JP Morgan believes markets underestimating potential for synergies at Wood Group
Analysts at JP Morgan reiterated their 'overweight' stance for shares of Wood Group, telling clients it remained a 'top pick' in the oil field services space for 2018.
London midday: Stocks pare gains as pound ticks up, Debenhams drags on retail
London equity markets pared earlier gains to sit just above the flat line by midday on Thursday as the pound ticked up against the dollar following decent services data, while a profit warning from Debenhams weighed on retail shares.
Be Heard reshuffles board after revealing weaker than expected profits
Digital marketing group Be Heard Group announced on Thursday that full-year profitability was likely to come in below market expectations, despite securing several new business wins and an increased annualised revenue.
Wilmington acquires pharmaceutical software and solutions group Interactive Medica
Education and networking provider Wilmington acquired the Interactive Medica (IM) group of companies for an initial consideration of €2. 8m with an adjustment for working capital payable on completion.
Economists divided after November UK consumer credit, mortgage data
The pace of lending to individuals picked-up slightly in November on the back of stronger mortgage approvals, but remained below the average for over the previous six months, leaving economists divided on the implications of the data for the economy.
US pre-open: Dow on course for 25,000 as investors eye jobs, services data
The Dow looked set to breach the 25,000 level on Thursday, with futures pointing a firmer open on Wall Street ahead of a key jobs report and the latest reading on the services sector.
Debenhams may need to cut dividend after profit warning, analysts caution
Debenhams is likely to be forced to cut the dividend it pays to shareholders after the department store chain lowered its full year profit guidance due to poor trading over Christmas.
China's services sector improves, Caixin survey shows
China's services sector grew at its fastest pace in more than three years in December, according to a survey released overnight.
RBC Capital downgrades Hochschild Mining on valuation
RBC Capital Markets downgraded Hochschild Mining to 'sector perform' from 'outperform' on valuation grounds, keeping the price target at 260p.
Escher Group CEO Liam Church to retire in May
Escher Group Holdings said on Thursday that chief executive Liam Church plans to retire at the end of May.
Sirius Real Estate buys Krefeld business park for €9.2m
AIM-listed Sirius Real Estate has bought a business park in Krefeld, Germany, for €9. 2m including acquisition costs.
Services PMI beats forecast, but new business slows and inflation rises
UK services firms reported slightly stronger growth than expected in December but growth in new orders fell to a 16-month low, a survey on the dominant sector of the economy revealed on Thursday.
Scientific Digital Imaging in talks over bolt-on acquisition
AIM-listed Scientific Digital Imaging said on Thursday that it is in negotiations regarding a potential small bolt-on acquisition to complement its existing Atik Cameras brand.
Trump's lawyers hit Steve Bannon with cease-and-desist over tell-all book
Lawyers representing Donald Trump have issued former chief strategist Steve Bannon a cease-and-desist notice, accusing him of having violated a non-disclosure agreement when speaking to author Michael Wolff.