Full List Of Stories
FX round-up: Pound finds slight bid even as US dollar grinds higher
The pound edged higher on Thursday on the back of reports that the UK was preparing its own backstop deal to guard against the risk of delays in the Brexit negotiations that might see the country simply crash out.
Bonds: Gilts underperform amid reports around Brexit backstop deal
These were the movements among some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bonds:.
Results round-up
Beleaguered mother and child retailer Mothercare has confirmed the closure of 50 stores, announced a refinancing package and said it was re-hiring chief executive Mark Newton-Jones, who stepped down last month, as it swung to a full-year pre-tax loss.
Commodities: Brent tops $80 per barrel for the first time since 2014
Moves in the commodities space were muted on Thursday, despite the news headlines around oil after Brent crude futures topped the $80 per barrel mark for the first time since 2014.
Europe close: Italian coalition talks, global trade tensions in focus
The main share indices on the Continent finished with across-the-board gains as markets waited on the details of the government coalition deal between Italy's two main anti-establishment parties, the Five Star and the League.
US Philly Fed index rockets in May, hiring strengthens
Perhaps the most closely-followed lead indicator for factory sector activity in the States jumped past forecasts in May as new orders rocketed.
US weekly unemployment claims increase by more than expected
US jobless claims for last week increased by moderately more than markets were expecting.
Europe midday: Markets move cautiously higher ahead of expected coalition deal in Italy
European stocks are seeing moderate gains on the heels of the previous session's advance on Wall Street, even as US government bond yields continued their climb higher on Wednesday, but with traders keeping a close eye on political events unfolding in Italy.