Market Report
Henry Boot profit surges 23pc in final results
Land promotion, property investment and development Henry Boot announced its results for the year to 31 December on Friday, with revenue increasing 74% to £306. 8m.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of healthcare bill vote
US futures suggested a muted open on Wall Street on Friday, as investors looked ahead to a key vote on a healthcare bill that was postponed in the previous session.
Highcroft Investments improves net asset value in 2016
Highcroft Investments posted its preliminary results for the year to 31 December on Friday, confirming a final property income distribution up 6. 1% to 26. 0p per share.
BrainJuicer changes name to System1 Group
Advertising research firm BrainJuicer has formally changed its name to System1 Group and the new moniker has been filled with Companies House.
GCP Student Living grows with focus on London
Student residential asset-focussed real estate investment trust GCP Student Living announced its results for the six months to 31 December on Friday, with rental income rising to £13m from £9m in the first half of the prior financial year.
Bank of Russia surprises with rate cut to 9.75%
Russia's central bank took markets by surprise on Friday, announcing it had cut its key policy rate in response to a quicker than expected drop in price pressures, with further cuts possible.
Royal Dutch Shell sells Gabon interests for $1bn
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell is to sell its onshore interests in Gabon to Assala Energy, a portfolio company of Carlyle Group, for up to $1bn.
ECB's Praet reiterates rates to remain at current lows, criticises anti-establishment parties
The European Central Bank will keep interest rates low well past the end of its bond purchase programme, its top policy thinker reiterated, while criticising anti-establishment parties' claims about the benefits of exiting the euro.
AFC Energy narrows loss as it completes Gen 2 cell development
Industrial fuel cell power company AFC Energy announced its final results for the year to 31 October on Friday, narrowing its operating loss to £6. 3m from £8. 6m in 2015.
UK's Brexit bill will be around £50bn, EC President Juncker says
Britain's bill for exiting the European Union will be close to £50bn and "must be honoured", European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker said, but he is not approaching the impending divorce proceedings in a hostile mood.
Tlou Energy raises £3.1m to invest in coal bed methane projects
Australian miner Tlou Energy, has raised AU$5. 2m (about £3. 1m) to invest in its coal bed methane projects in southern Africa and plans to raise a further AU$2m.
End of BHP's Escondida strike does not impress market much
Striking workers at BHP Billiton's Escondida mine in Chile agreed to end their 43-day industrial action on Thursday, but management are reportedly unhappy and analysts were unimpressed.
Co-op Bank confirms interest from 'credible' financial parties
The Co-operative Bank said on Friday that a number of "credible strategic and financial parties" have expressed interest in the sale process and are currently evaluating information on the bank.
PCI-PAL appoints William Good as CFO
AIM-listed contact centre solutions provider PCI-PAL has appointed William Good as chief financial officer, effective 1 April.
London open: Stocks little changed; Smiths Group rallies on results
London stocks were little changed in early trade on Friday following a slightly negative close in the US, where a key vote on a healthcare bill was postponed.
Potential energy tariff caps could weigh on SSE's performance, says HSBC
Analysts at HSBC have downgraded SSE, saying potential tariff caps enforced by the government could weigh on the energy supplier’s performance.
Creo Medical Group's endoscopic device gains European approval
Creo Medical Group’s endoscopic device gained approval in the European Union for microwave energy keeping the company on track for the device’s launch later this year.
Acacia Mining on edge as Tanzania ban on gold exports contiunes
Acacia Mining said there has been no change on the Tanzanian government's ban on exports of gold and copper ore despite lobbying by the company, which is losing more than $1m per day in revenue.
Europe open: Lower start despite very strong euro area PMIs for March
The main stockmarket gauges moved lower in early trading despite very strong readings on the euro area's manufacturing and services sectors and relatively 'dovish' remarks from the European Central Bank's chief economist.
Trump faces key healthcare vote as Republicans mull ultimatum
Donald Trump has handed out an ultimatum to his Republican colleagues in Congress ahead of a crucial vote on healthcare reform on Friday - vote it in or the US sticks with Obamacare.