Market Pulse
US initial jobless claims drop by 4K as expected
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits declined in line with expectations last week, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
Empire State manufacturing gauge jumps past forecasts in March
A widely-followed gauge of factory sector activity in the jurisdiction of the Federal Reserve bank of New York jumped sharply in March.
GKN's largest customer tolls death knell for Melrose deal
GKN's largest customer, Airbus, has suggested it would withdraw custom from the FTSE 100 engineer in the event of the proposed hostile takeover by Melrose International.
Philly Fed index drops a little more than expected in March
Manufacturing conditions in the Philadelphia region deteriorated a little more than expected in March, according to a survey out on Thursday.
Europe midday: Stocks higher, central banks and international trade in focus
Stocks are holding higher despite somewhat hawkish rhetoric from rate-setters in Norway and Switzerland, against a backdrop of continuing trade tensions, with the market spotlight having shifted to the US and China.
London midday: Unilever, Cussons, trade fears all drag on FTSE
London stocks had pared earlier gains by midday on Thursday amid worries about a possible trade war between the US and China, while news that Unilever is shunning the UK for new headquarters in Rotterdam did little to boost sentiment.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted as investors eye raft of data
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street on Thursday following three days of losses amid worries about a trade war, as investors eyed a slew of data releases.
Europe open: Stocks higher despite hawkish comments from Bank of Norway, SNB
Stocks are moving higher despite continuing trade tensions and somewhat hawkish rhetoric from rate-setters in Norway and Switzerland.
Goldman downgrades Imperial Brands as outlook gets more cloudy
Goldman Sachs downgraded Imperial Brands to 'neutral' from 'buy' and cut its 12-month price target to 2,760p from 3,610p as it removed the stock from its Pan-Europe 'conviction list' as its thesis - based on a return to organic revenue growth - has failed to materialise.
LightwaveRF appoints Adam Williams as revenue chief
Smart home solutions provider LightwaveRF announced the appointment of Adam Williams as its chief revenue officer with immediate effect on Thursday.
Vast Resources makes progress on offtake agreement with Mercuria
Romania and Zimbabwe-focussed mining company Vast Resources announced on Thursday that, as part of the arrangements towards finalisation of the proposed $9. 5m pre-payment offtake agreement with Mercuria Energy Trading, it has issued 565 million warrants in terms of the authority from shareholders granted at the general meeting on 14 February.
MySQUAR launches new strategy card mobile game 'Wushu King'
Myanmar-language social media, entertainment and payments platform MySQUAR announced the launch of a new strategy card mobile game called Wushu King on Thursday.
Diversified Gas & Oil enters into new $500m credit facility
Independent US based gas and oil producer Diversified Gas & Oil announced on Thursday that it has entered into a $500m, five-year senior secured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of seven US banks, led by KeyBank National Association.
Veltyco extends partnership with esports.com
Gaming industry online marketing and operator company Veltyco Group announced on Thursday that it has extended its partnership with eSports. com and has entered into a joint venture with eSports. com to join forces in a blockchain project.
Sareum Holdings to present SRA737 results in Chicago
Specialist cancer drug discovery and development company Sareum Holdings announced on Thursday that late-breaking preclinical results for SRA737 have been accepted for presentation in a poster at the American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018 being held in Chicago from 14-18 April.
Scotgold Resources sells French subsidiary
AIM-listed Scotgold Resources has agreed to sell its subsidiary SGZ France SAS, which holds the French exploration licence, Vendrennes, to Ikigai Limited for an initial cash consideration of €100,000.
Experian to buy ClearScore for £275m
Consumer credit reporting agency Experian has agreed to buy credit-checking firm ClearScore for £275m.
OneSavings Bank full-year profit up 21%
OneSavings Bank posted a 21% jump in full-year profit on Thursday as the loan book grew and the company said it kicked off 2018 with a strong pipeline of new business, but guidance on margins disappointed.
Cineworld confident for Regal challenge in blockbuster-heavy year
Cineworld reported strong profits growth for a 'momentous' 2017 and was feeling boffo about newly acquired US cinema chain Regal and a bulging slate of blockbusters in 2018.
St. Modwen completes £75m forward sale at St Andrews Park
St. Modwen has completed the forward-sale of 207 private rented sector units at its 1,300-home mixed-use regeneration project at St Andrew's Park, Uxbridge, to Annington Rentals No. 4, it announced on Thursday, for a total cash consideration of £75m, upon the occurrence of certain construction milestones.