Market Report
Middle East tensions increase after Israel attacks Iranian targets in Syria
Tensions in the Middle East heightened overnight Thursday as Israel launched air strikes against Iranian targets inside Syria in retaliation for a rocket attack on the Golan Heights it pinned on Iran.
US 'core' CPI falls short of forecasts in April
Consumer prices in the States advanced by slightly less-than-expected last month despite a bounce back in energy costs.
Toople revenues improve as losses widen in first half
Business telecom services provider Toople issued its financial results for the six months ended 31 March on Thursday, reporting a 10% increase in revenues over the second half of the 2017 financial year to £0. 69m.
ITM Power hails landmark Orkney hydrogen vehicle refuelling
ITM Power on Thursday welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Association that the first hydrogen vehicle refueling in Orkney has taken place at ITM’s refuelling station in Hatston.
Robinson starts 2018 with solid sales growth
Plastic and paperboard packaging manufacturer Robinson reported sales growth of 15% in the first four months of 2018 on Thursday, as investors gathered for its annual general meeting.
Trinity Exploration maintains low costs in 2017
Trinidad and Tobago-focussed exploration and production company Trinity Exploration posted its preliminary results for the 12 months ended 31 December on Thursday, confirming that it maintained a low operating break-even and high operating margin production.
FTSE 100 movers: Next, ITV and Morrisons gains offset BT decline
The FTSE 100 was led higher by well received updates from Next, ITV and Morrisons, overcoming a big falls for BT and Randgold, plus Thursday's ex-dividend stocks.
Economists seek meaning in BoE's decision to hold rates
Economists and analysts were divided as they tried to make sense of the Bank of England’s decision to keep rates on hold while trimming its economic forecast.
Eli Lilly to buy biotech Armo Biosciences for $1.6bn
Eli Lilly has agreed to buy biotech Armo Biosciences for around $1. 6bn in cash, or $50 per share.
Asia report: Markets move higher with oil, NZ stands pat on interest rates
Markets in Asia finished mostly higher on Thursday, as oil prices reached their highest levels since 2014 as investors continued to react to Donald Trump’s decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal.
Eurasia Mining records platinum grades 'considerably higher' than expected
Gold production company Eurasia Mining has recorded several successive days of near full capacity operations at its West Kytlim mine following a general thaw at the start of the month.
US jobless claims hold steady near 48-year low
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits was unchanged last week, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
Goals Soccer Centres sales hit by bad weather, to spend £3m on estate upgrade
Five-a-side football operator Goals Soccer Centres reported a drop in sales on Thursday as it took a hit from the Beast from the East, and announced plans to splash the cash on an upgrade of its estate.
Arrow Global revenues rise as core collections improve
Debt purchaser Arrow Global made saw revenues grow throughout the first quarter of its trading year as a result of an increase in core collections and a 19. 9% increase in asset management income.
Schroders cannot rely on tailwinds any longer, warns Berenberg
Analysts at Berenberg believe Schroders is set for a period of lower assets under management, faster margin declines and a greater reliance on cost discipline to achieve profit targets, leading the broker to change its stance on the investment manager.
London midday: Stocks maintain gains as BoE stands pat; Next and RBS rally
London stocks were still a little higher by midday on Thursday as the Bank of England stood pat on rates, as expected, with updates from RBS and Next helping to keep the top-flight index afloat as BT disappointed.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of inflation data
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street on Thursday as investors eyed the latest reading on inflation.
Next lifts full-year profit guidance as warm weather boosts Q1 sales
Clothing retailer Next upgraded its profit guidance for the year on Thursday as it posted a rise in first-quarter sales thanks to unusually warm weather in recent weeks.
BT axes 13,000 jobs to cut £1.5bn costs as annual profits dip
As it reported another year of lower profits, BT Group said it will cut 13,000 back office jobs but hire 6,000 more new staff as part of an operating strategy rejig that aims to cut £1. 5bn of costs within three years.
Gloomy UK manufacturing and construction figures add to economic doubts
Sluggish factory output and a continuing contraction in the construction industry added to doubts about the economy as the Bank of England prepared to release its latest decision on interest rates later on Thursday.