Market Report
Fnac jacks up Darty offer after Steinhoff's triple bid hike
The bidding war for France-focused electronics retailer Darty has intensified as longtime suitor Fnac upped its bid to 153p overnight, its second improved offer of the day as it battled South Africa-backed furniture retailer Conforma's 160p bid.
US close: Wall St on the back foot for first time since Friday
US stocks took a back step on Thursday for the first time in the week amid softer oil prices and mixed earnings and economic data.
FX round-up: US dollar strengthens as commodities slip, risk appettite wanes
The greenback clawed back some ground on Thursday despite a rather mixed spate of economic data in the States, after the European Central Bank left the door open to further stimulus should it be deemed necessary.
National Grid hit by jump in UK debt yields
Public sector net borrowing in the UK only overshot the Chancellor’s target for the full fiscal year modestly, analysts said, but that was enough to push sovereign debt yields higher, knocking the likes of National Grid off their perch.
Iberdrola is different, Citi says, adds to Focus list
Shares in Iberdrola do not look cheap in comparison to its sector, but it is “different”, it is a ‘growth’ story in a shrinking sector, Citi said.
Europe close: Shares mixed, despite gains in banks
European stocks clambered back from their intra-day lows as the European Central Bank left the door open to further easing if necessary, amid a retreat in oil prices.
Game Digital agrees new asset-backed loan facility with main shareholder
Game Digital has agreed a new £100m asset-backed revolving loan facility with its hedge fund main shareholder Elliott Advisers.
London close: Stocks fall as ECB leaves policy unchanged
London stocks finished lower on Thursday as traders weighed worse-than-expected UK retail sales data and the European Central Bank’s policy announcement.
Friday preview: Manufacturing PMIs in focus
Manufacturing sector activity growth in the US and the Eurozone is expected to accelerate in April, according to economists’ forecasts ahead of data on Friday.
Director dealings: Sthree director offloads to pay tax
Recruiter Sthree's US operations director Steve Quinn sold £132,000 worth of the company's shares the morning of its annual general meeting.
FTSE 100 movers: Ashtead boosted while Anglo American slides further
The FTSE 100 was trading below the line on Thursday afternoon, as investors reacted to a bigger-than-expected drop in UK retail sales for March, and a hostile shareholder meeting for Anglo American got underway.
Euro area consumer confidence perks up in April after months of decline
Consumers in the Eurozone grew slightly more upbeat in April, according to the results of one of the most widely-followed sentiment surveys.
Volkswagen said to raise emissions scandal provisions to up to €20bn
Beleaguered German car maker Volkswagen is reportedly lifting its provisions to pay for the emissions scandal to between €10bn and €20bn from €6. 7bn.
FTSE 250 movers: Acacia shines but Petrofac weighed by downgrade
London’s FTSE 250 index was down 0. 4% to 16,944. 12 in afternoon trading.
Fitch lifts Tesco's outlook, holds debt rating
Credit agency Fitch has revised Tesco's debt outlook to 'stable' from 'negative' and confirmed the supermarket group's long-term default and senior unsecured rating at 'BB+'.
US open: Stocks nudge lower as investors digest mixed earnings and data
US stocks were a touch weaker on Thursday as investors sifted through mixed economic and corporate releases, amid softer oil prices.
Vernalis hires AstraZeneca marketeer to lead Tuzistra operation in US
Vernalis has appointed 24-year AstraZeneca veteran Sandford 'Sandy' Sommer as president and chief operating officer of its US operation, Vernalis Therapeutics.
Draghi defends monetary policy after criticism from Germany
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi on Thursday hit back at criticism from German politicians over the Governing Council’s monetary policy.
Bonds: Gilts underperform despite weak employment data
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed long-term sovereign bond yields:.
Initial jobless claims drop to lowest level since 1973
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, according to the Labor Department.