Market Report
Hikma Pharma trims guidance as generic Advair talks continue with FDA
Hikma Pharmaceuticals reported a 1% rise in first-half sales and flat profits, but trimmed its guidance for the full year as the generic drugs arm faces tougher market conditions and continues discussions with US regulators over a key generic asthma drug.
UK retail sales remain subdued but beat forecasts
UK retail sales were stronger than expected in July but strong food sales are continuing to mask wider weakness as consumers feel the pinch.
Armadale sees greater potential for Mahenge Liandu after first round of drilling
The results of the first round of drilling at its Mahenge Liandu licence in Tanzania led Armadale Capital to believe there were more and better resources in place than initially thought.
London midday: FTSE falls as dividends and banks weigh
London stocks gave up more ground by midday on Thursday as a retreating oil price and dovish US central bankers hit lenders to offset a better set of retail sales data.
Idox announces acquisition of electoral software group Halarose
Public sector information management firm Idox announced on Thursday it had acquired Halarose Holdings, a supplier of electoral back office software and services in the UK for £5m.
Europe midday: Stocks slip ahead of ECB minutes
Shares on the Continent were slightly lower as investors assessed the contents of a 'dovish' set of US central bank policy meeting minutes released overnight.
Kingfisher's quarterly sales hammered lower but costs nailed
Sales at retailer Kingfisher took a bit of a hammering in the second quarter and the owner of the B&Q and Screwfix chains remained cautious over the outlook for the UK and France in the second half.
Rank rakes in better profits in second half after digital boost
Casino and bingo hall operator Rank reported final results boosted by a significantly improved second half thanks to a strong improvement in digital, with optimism lifted further by the launch of the new Luda bingo format.
Victoria Oil & Gas sees new well as 'substantial' gas producer
Victoria Oil & Gas boasted on Thursday that its La-107 well in Cameroon was expected to become a "substantial producer" of gas after drilling reached target depth and the well as cased.
Chinese foreign investment controls dent IP Group fundraising
IP Group said a proposed capital raising in China had been hit by new regulatory controls in the People's Republic.
Vectura awaits more details from FDA over Advair
Drug delivery specialist Vectura has noted comments on Thursday morning by Hikma, its partner on the development of a generic version of the Advair Diskus asthma treatment.
Marshalls stacks up cash as it improves profits at home and abroad
Marshalls Group, the maker of paving slabs, street furniture and floor tiles, posted a solid set of interim results on Thursday, reporting increased revenue thanks to a 17% year-on-year increase in domestic sales.
Brexit talks' second stage to be pushed back to December - reports
The second stage of negotiations between Britain and the European Union over the terms of Brexit could be pushed back to the end of the year as not enough progress was being made in the initial talks, media reports suggested overnight.
FX round-up: UK data impresses as Fed disappoints on rate hike expectations
A string of impressive data out on Wednesday helped strengthen sterling's hand against the dollar in the morning, taking the pair higher from 1. 2845 to face strong resistance at 1. 2900.
US FDIC files High Court LIBOR suit against several High Street lenders
A federal US government agency has brought a case against several of the world's largest banks, including the biggest UK lenders, alleging that their manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate resulted in losses for US lenders.
London open: Stocks battle to stay flat after dollar dips on dovish Fed
London stocks recovered from an initial dip to trade almost flat on Thursday morning after the release of a relatively dovish set of Federal Reserve meeting minutes overnight led to a positive Wall Street session.
Kaz Minerals's revenues boosted as growth projects come on-line
Kaz Minerals saw revenues more than double in the first half of the year as its two main mines at Aktogay and Bozshakol came onstream amid higher commodity prices.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Libor lawsuit, UK shale, freedom of movement
The US government has filed what could be the largest Libor scandal-related lawsuit yet against some of Britain’s biggest lenders, alleging that their role in rigging borrowing rates had played a part in the collapse of American banks once worth more than $400 billion. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has begun a High Court claim against banks including Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland, alleging that they colluded to hold down borrowing rates for several years, a practice known as “lowballing”, to give the market a false idea of their financial health.
London pre-open: Slightly lower start expected
Stocks are expected to come under slight pressure at the start of the day despite the release of a relatively dovish set of Fed meeting minutes overnight and a positive close to the trading session on Wall Street.
Kingfisher sales slow in Q2, Hikma trims guidance
London open Traders in the City called the FTSE 100 index almost 5 points lower on Thursday morning, down from a close of 7,433. 03 the previous session.