Market Report
UK consumer confidence reaches lowest level ever in May
Consumer confidence in the UK dipped even further in May, according to a long-running survey released on Friday, making for the lowest overall confidence score since records began.
Europe close: Stocks hit by sell-off in US, currency strength
European shares finished lower on Thursday following a sell-off in US equities the night before and as recent strength in the Greenback faltered.
London close: Stocks fall further as economic jitters grow
London stocks were weaker at the close again on Thursday, having taken their cue from a selloff on Wall Street overnight amid growing concerns about global growth.
Philly Fed index slumps in May amid slower inventory building
Factory sector activity in the US mid-Atlantic region cooled significantly in May, largely as a result of firms slower stockbuilding.
Wedbush slashes Tesla price target on China headwinds
Wedbush slashed its price target on Tesla on Thursday to $1000 from $1400 as it argued that China headwinds are hard to ignore.
Broker tips: Auto Trader, Future
Analysts at Deutsche Bank lowered their target price on automotive classified advertising business Auto Trader from 800. 0p to 720. 0p on Thursday ahead of the group's full-year results on 26 May.
FTSE 250 movers: PageGroup goes ex-div; HomeServe surges on takeover
London’s FTSE 250 was down 1. 5% at 19,657. 34 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
ITM Power wins £9.3m contract under government net-zero programme
Energy storage and clean fuel technology company ITM Power has been awarded a contract by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), it announced on Thursday.
US existing home sales dip in April, more declines anticipated
Existing home sales in the States fell in April and the slowdown in activity appeared set to continue, a leading business lobby group said and some economists were even more downbeat.
US open: Dow Jones extends losses in early trade
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start early on Thursday after both the Dow Jones and S&P 500 booked their biggest single-day losses in almost two years in the previous session.
Berenberg slashes target price on 'mispriced' Future
Analysts at Berenberg slashed their target price on media company Future from 5,225. 0p to 3,600. 0p on Thursday, stating it was currently "a mispriced share".
Deutsche Bank lowers target price on Auto Trader
Analysts at Deutsche Bank lowered their target price on automotive classified advertising business Auto Trader from 800. 0p to 720. 0p on Thursday ahead of the group's full-year results on 26 May.
FTSE 100 movers: Airtel Africa rises; Royal Mail under pressure
London’s FTSE 100 was down 2. 4% to 7,262. 03 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Barclays backing Issa brothers bid for Boots - report
Barclays is reportedly leading of group of banks backing TDR Capital and the Issa brothers on their multibillion pound bid for the Boots chemist chain.
Young's returns to profit, reinstates final dividend
Pub operator Young’s swung back to profit in the financial year just ended, it announced on Thursday, as the board reintroduced a final dividend.
Atalaya pleased with performance despite fall in operating cash flow
Atalaya Mining reported a “good” first quarter financial performance on Thursday, including cash flows from operating activities of €28. 3m (£23. 98m), down 23. 1% year-on-year.
Gamma trading at upper end of market expectations
Gamma Communications said in an update on Thursday that it has continued to grow throughout the first part of 2022, while executing against its longer-term growth strategy.
Idox describes 'robust' first-half performance
Information software provider Idox described a “robust” operational and financial performance in its first half on Thursday, in line with expectations.
Knights Group ends year strongly, acquires Coffin Mew
Knights Group said in an update on Thursday that it expected revenue for the year just ended of £125. 5m, up 22% year-on-year, as it also announced the acquisition of Coffin Mew.
Smart Metering maintains forecast after strong recent trading
Smart Metering Systems reported a strong recent performance in a trading update on Thursday, with index-linked annualised recurring revenue (ILARR) growing to £91. 4m as at 30 April from £85. 9m on 31 December.