Market Pulse
Miton's Investment Company sees broadly flat NAV across first half
Closed-ended balanced mutual fund The Investment Company reported a broadly flat net asset value for the six months leading to 31 December, as constraints to investments in the UK due to retail prices outpacing wage gains offset gains seen in the US after the White House opted to fund the majority of its public spending from reserves as opposed to bond issuance.
Commodities: DoE data boosts WTI futures, net oil imports lowest since 1992
Energy futures climbed on Thursday following the release of data showing a large drawdown in US stockpiles, which helped to buoy the entire complex.
Bonds: Weaker GDP buoys Gilts, US Treasuries retrace losses
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 92% (-3bp) UK: 1. 55% (-1bp) Germany: 0. 71% (-2bp) France: 0. 98% (-1bp) Italy: 2. 08% (+3bp) Spain: 1. 52% (+1bp) Portugal: 2. 03% (+3bp) Greece: 4. 37% (-7bp) Japan: 0. 06% (+0bp).
US close: Solid jobs data sees markets rise
Stocks rose across the board in the US on Thursday, after positive data on the labour market offset investor concerns surrounding potential interest rate hikes coming from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting.
South Korean app allows women to share sexual harassment experiences anonymously
The new feature for the South Korean app 'Blind' allows women to share their experiences regarding sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace, giving importance to the #MeToo movement without risking being victimised yet again for whistleblowing.
Results round-up
Copper and gold miner Kaz Minerals on Thursday reported a hefty jump in full year earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation to $503m from $67m.
Countries with restrictions on freedom of speech rank highest in annual corruption perception index
Transparency International's 2017 Corruption Perception Index reveals high levels of corruption in over two-thirds of countries, with the UK among the few that managed to improve their rating.
Europe close: Stocks track gains on Wall Street
A late buying spree lifted stocks across the Continent off their session lows, with traders seemingly breathing a sigh of relief as Wall Street began Thursday's session on the up.
Market buzz: Bond yields dip, GDP cut hits pound, Stobart talk lifts Flybe
1644: The yield on the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note was down by four basis points to 2. 91% after hitting a high of 2. 96% during the previous session, while that on the two-year note is one basis point lower to 2. 25%. No immediate trigger for the move is apparent. The FTSE 100 lost 29 points or 0. 4% to finish Thursday's session at 7,252. 39.
Broker tips: Go-Ahead, Hotel Chocolat, Moneysupermarket
A strong balance sheet and "solid" earnings from the bus segment will allow Go-Ahead to maintain or raise its dividends going forward, according to analysts at Cannacord Genuity.
Jefferies analysts reassess stance on UK industrials, warns of potential FX headwinds
Analysts at investment bank Jefferies took a look at UK industrials on Thursday, retaining their positive outlook on the sector, but noting that while macroeconomic data was strong, FX headwinds could be on the horizon.
London close: FTSE flops as PLC and GDP growth disappoints
London stocks erased most of their earlier losses but still finished in the red on Thursday as bond yields retreated and the pound struggled for direction after disappointing UK economic growth figures.
US open: Stocks bounce back after Fed minutes on better-than-expected labour data
Stocks rose across the board as Wall Street trading kicked off on Thursday, as positive data on the labour market offset investors' concerns surrounding potential interest rate hikes coming from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting.
Director dealings: Adept Telecom director ups his stake
Christopher Kingsman, non-executive director of Adept Telecom, dropped almost £400,000 to purchase just shy of 130,000 ordinary shares in the IT managed services provider on Thursday.
UK inequality projected to rise to record highs, poorest households to be hit the hardest
General income growth has slowed and is expected to continue on the same trajectory for the next 5 years, according to one of the UK's leading think-tanks.
Hospitality businesses pessimistic about 2018, says CGA finds
Trading in the eating and drinking sector is predicted to continue along its current difficult path in 2018, according to leaders surveyed by CGA.
Starcom share price plunges as board flags bigger losses
Remote tracking, monitoring and protection specialist dealt a blow to its share price on Thursday, after the board confirmed a significant downgrade to its expectations for the 2017 year ahead of its final results.
Arbuthnot banks on final results in line with expectations
Arbuthnot Banking Group issued a pre close trading update on Thursday, ahead of its final results announcement for the year ended 31 December, which was scheduled for 28 March.
Sareum notes success of PARP inhibitor SRA737
Specialist cancer drug discovery and development business Sareum Holdings noted on Thursday that Sierra Oncology - the licence holder advancing clinical cancer candidate SRA737 - announced yesterday that it will present preclinical data demonstrating that its Chk1 inhibitor SRA737 synergises with niraparib - a poly ADP-ribose (PARP) inhibitor - in a poster at the American Association of Cancer Research annual meeting 2018 being held in Chicago from 14-18 April.
Berenberg downgrades Hotel Chocolat to 'hold'
Berenberg downgraded British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut the price target to 340p from 380p pointing to limited scope for substantial upgrades in the near term and a high multiple.