Market Report
Kroger profits match expectations but stocks fall
US retailer Kroger published strong fourth-quarter growth that matched analyst predictions but its 2018 forecast disappointed investors and sent its stock tumbling.
Europe close: Stocks boosted by more dovish than expected ECB
Stocks finished the session higher, boosted by weakness in the single currency after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi sounded a more dovish note than expected.
Europe midday: Stocks holding onto gains ahead of ECB
Stocks are holding higher, tracking Wednesday's rally on Wall Street and ahead of the European Central Bank's policy announcement later in the day.
Apple finds serious labour and environmental violations as audits expand
Apple has announced on Wednesday that it has found serious violations of labour and environmental policies after expanding its audit into staff conditions at its manufacturing activities.
Broker tips: UBM, Premier Oil, Britvic
Berenberg upgraded business-to-business event organiser UBM from 'sell' to 'hold' on Thursday and upped its target price from 675p to 930p as risks to the fashion industry, the firm's largest sector, seemed "less relevant now".
ECB tweaks forward guidance, drops bias towards greater easing
The European Central Bank stopped suggesting on Thursday that it might yet 'up the ante' on its asset purchase programme if needed, but continued to hold out the possibility of an extension in the APP beyond September.
London close: Stocks end up as investors mull ECB announcement, Trump tariffs
Equity indices in London rose on Thursday alongside their European peers as European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi signalled that the central bank’s exit from quantitative easing would be gradual.
Interserve surge squeezes shorts amid Emerald rescue reports
Interserve shares surged more than 40% on Thursday afternoon, exerting a deep squeeze on one of the most shorted stocks on the London Stock Exchange.
Wood Group wins contract with Aramco and SABIC
Wood Group has won a new contract to develop the world’s largest crude oil to chemicals complex in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Saudi Aramco and SABIC.
Weir shares seen at major discount to sector, says Liberum
Analysts at Liberum initiated coverage on engineer Weir Group on Thursday with a 'buy' rating as the performance of its European peers suggested that margins could grow quicker than expected.
Market buzz: Signing of US tariffs postponed, Draghi sends euro plunging
1652: In remarks to WebFG UK, one financial industry veteran describes Wilbur Ross as 'balanced', explains he won't do anything foolish. On that note, economists at Oxford Economics are out with a note saying: "Our models indicate the odds of a recession this year range from 1% to 15%, changing little since last month and remaining well below critical thresholds. "Importantly though, the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs and Gary Cohn's resignation as Trump's top economic adviser signal an increased risk of US trade protectionism, which could elicit international retaliation and increase the risk of an economic downturn.
Conviviality sees current year earnings 20% below market views
AIM-listed alcohol wholesaler Conviviality was under pressure on Thursday after saying that adjusted earnings before interest, tax depreciation and amortisation for the current year are likely to be around 20% below current market expectations.
Empyrean Energy to resume testing operations after well analysis
Oil and gas exploration company Empyrean Energy is due to resume testing operations on the Dempsey well in California later this month, the company said on Thursday.
Morgan Stanley upgrades Britvic rating despite looming sugar tax
Analysts at Morgan Stanley upgraded their recommendation for shares of Britvic on Thursday from ‘hold’ to ‘buy’, explaining that the shares' current level provided an "attractive" entry point, given the outlook for several of the company's main financial metrics over the medium-term, including a projected quadrupling of its free cash flows.
Friday preview: US non-farm payrolls; results from GVC, Inmarsat and SIG
Unless Friday's US jobs report is very bad, Federal Reserve policymakers are quite likely to raise interest rates at their meeting later this month.
Director dealings: Crest Nicholson boss collects £1.1m from share sale
Stephen Stone, chief executive officer of residential developer Crest Nicholson, disposed of 232,889 ordinary shares in the Surrey-based firm on Thursday, pocketing more than £1. 1m in the process.
US open: Wall Street opens firmer, signing of new tariffs delayed
Trading on Wall Street opened in the green on Thursday, amid reports that the White House might yet tinker with its final proposals on tariffs.
Concepta gets ethics committee approval for myLotus UK trials
Women’s fertility mobile health product developer Concepta announced on Thursday that it has received ethics committee approval to start the user trial for its myLotus product in the UK.
FTSE 100 movers: ITV boosted by Exane note; Next in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 4% to 7,189. 03 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors digested the latest policy announcement from the European Central Bank.
Boeing adds Okay Air to list of pilot development programme participants
Boeing expanded its commercial pilot development programme (PDP) on Thursday, adding Chinese carrier Okay Airways to its growing customer list, alongside recently-added customers Kunming Airlines and YTO Airlines.