Market Report
Results round-up
Technology firm Scientific Digital Imaging increased revenue by a third in the half-year to 31 October, as organic growth and acquisitions boosted profits.
US close: Dow, S&P notch record closes but stocks end off highs as dollar firms
The Dow and S&P 500 notched record closes on Thursday, underpinned by solid earnings releases, but stocks ended off their highs as comments from President Trump helped to breathe some life back into the dollar.
London close: Punchy pound knocks FTSE down again
London stocks lost out on their earlier modest gains by the close on Thursday as the pound remained firm and UK corporate and economic news was mixed.
Trump looks forward to testifying in Russia probe
President Trump told reporters before going to the World Economic Forum in Davos, that he “looks forward” to being questioned under oath as part of the investigation into alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 US election.
Strategic Minerals exchanges contracts for Leigh Creek copper mine buy
AIM-listed mining company Strategic Minerals (SML) has completed the exchange of contracts for its acquisition of the Leigh Creek Copper mine via its wholly owned subsidiary, Ebony Iron.
Infrastrata raises funds for Islandmagee gas storage project
Shares in AIM-listed gas storage business Infrastrata tumbled on Thursday after the group announced it had conditionally raised £375,000 before expenses through a placing of 125,000,000 new ordinary shares at an issue price of 0. 3p per share.
Genel Energy full-year production set to drop by a third
Kurdistan-focused oil business Genel Energy said on Thursday that full-year net production was expected to fall by a third, as output from its flagship Taq Taq oilfield in Iraq's north dwindled throughout the year.
Europe close: Most markets down as ECB stands pat on policy
European shares finished primarily in the red on Thursday, as US president Donald Trump stormed off Air Force One and into the Davos talkfest, with the ECB making no changes to its policy after its two-day meeting.
Cash boost for Great Portland Estates investors
Great Portland Estates is to return £306m to shareholders, the FTSE 250 property firm said on Thursday.
Minds & Machines expects profits beat as domains grow 67pc
Domain name business Minds and Machines expects underlying earnings from its recently ended trading year to come in ahead of expectations after getting a significant boost to revenues in the second half.
Broker tips: Next, Smith and Nephew, Sage
Retailer Next got a boost on Thursday as RBC Capital Markets upped its stance on the stock to ’outperform’ from ‘sector perform’ and hiked the price target to 5,500p from 4,800p.
Director dealings: Clipper Logistics directors take profits in the millions
Steve Parkin, executive chairman of Clipper Logistics, let go of almost 5m shares in the firm on Thursday - the largest share dump by a director of the firm on the day, but by no means the only one.
Sage faces a growth challenge in face of competition - Deutsche
Sage will find it challenging to meet its full year targets, reckon analysts at Deutsche Bank, after a weak first quarter and growing competition from the likes of Quickbooks and Xero.
JPM Cazenove upgrades Smith & Nephew on forex, tax gains
Analysts at JPMorgan Cazenove update forecasts for Smith and Nephew (S&N) on Thursday leading to an upgrade for the medical technology group's rating to 'overweight'.
UK levels of crime fall during 2017 - ONS
Levels of reported crime continued to fall throughout 2017, consistent with a general trend seen since the mid-1990s, according to a research report released by the Office of National Statistics on Thursday.
FCA slaps £1m fine on Interactive Brokers UK
The Financial Conduct Authority has fined Interactive Brokers UK more than £1m for poor market abuse controls and for failing to report suspicious client transactions.
UK seeks locations for new radioactive waste disposal facilities
Downing Street launched two new consultations aimed at finding a site capable of housing a geological disposal facility to store Britain's radioactive nuclear waste.
US new home sales drop more than expected in December
Sales of new US single-family homes fell more than expected in December, according to data from the Commerce Department.
US open: Stocks rise as dollar takes a beating from the euro on Draghi comments
US stocks advanced in early trade on Thursday as investors sifted through a raft of corporate earnings, with eyes on Davos and forex markets as comments by European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi boosted the euro.
MySale earnings surge in first half
International online retailer MySale Group issued a trading update for the six months to 31 December on Thursday, reporting that underlying EBITDA grew 80% to a record AUD 5. 5m.