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Empty homes in the UK on the rise as vacant stock hits £50bn
The number of empty homes across the country has risen for the first time in a decade reaching £50bn worthy of vacant stock, new analysis has revealed.
Broker tips: Schroders, IMI
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.
Results round-up
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.
Europe close: Stocks higher as Wall Street moves into the black for the year
European stocks finished mostly higher, as the Dow Jones Industrials continued climbing, following the S&P 500's push into positive territory for the year during the previous session, thanks to a weaker-than-expected reading on US consumer prices.
Bonds: Gilts jump, Italian bonds slump
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: .
BoE cuts near-term forecasts, points to hike towards turn of year
Policymakers at the Bank of England opted to keep Bank Rate on hold on Thursday, sticking to their forecasts for a moderate pace of economic expansion over the medium-term, while pointing to current market pricing for another hike in Bank Rate around the turn of the year - although there were two dissenters.
FX round-up: Pound lower as Bank of England delivers unexpected 'dovish hold'
Sterling weakened after the Monetary Policy Committee surprised economists who were expecting a 'hawkish hold' on policy, by cutting its forecasts for near-term growth in the UK economy and for inflation.
Commodities: Prices near multi-year highs amid dip in US dollar
Losses in agricultural commodities and some energy contracts were the weakest segments of the market on Thursday as they gave back ground despite the weaker US dollar.
Sector movers: Retailers and banks rise, telecoms dragged down
Miners, retailers and banks were on the up on Thursday, while telecoms was the main faller.
Friday preview: US consumer confidence, Wood Group in focus
The news-flow on both the economic and corporate calendars is set to shift lower by several gears at the end of the week, with no major economic releases expected out of the UK or China.
Market buzz: BT fails to inspire, Carney says economy will pick back up
1655:Close UK economy will pick back-up, not "rocket back up", driven by exporters and investment, Carney tells the BBC.
London close: Stocks rise as BoE's softer forecast hits pound
London stocks finished higher on Thursday as the Bank of England's wait-and-see attitude put pressure on the pound, while updates from Next, RBS and ITV were well received.
Stratex International's shares falter as subsidiary sees Ethiopian licences cancelled
Stratex International saw its shares plummet on Thursday after it announced that its 30. 4% owned subsidiary Thani Stratex Limited (TSR) has failed to renew two licences in Ethiopia.
Sareum Holdings pleased by expansions of 'lethal' cancer drug trials
Cancer drug discovery and development firm Sareum Holdings on Thursday elaborated on the expansion of the patient cohort for a Phase 2 cancer drug trail.
On The Beach plunges as full year forecasts trimmed
On The Beach grew adjusted profits 15% in the first half of the year but the bottom and top line were affected by the collapse of Monarch Airlines, while separately chairman Richard Segal has decided to step down.
Iran likely to respond to US sanctions with cyberattacks
Iran is likely to retaliate with cyber attacks on Western businesses after the US president Donald Trump announced new sanctions on the Islamic republic and withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal, according to online security experts.
Long-suffering commuters promised 'transformational' digital railway
A ‘digital transformation’ set to revolutionise the country’s railways and reduce disruption was outlined to the public on Thursday - but some City commuters would be forgiven for taking the announcement with the smallest pinch of salt.
US open: Positive open following flat jobless claims figures
Wall Street trading began on a positive note on Thursday as investors thumbed through weaker-than-expected inflation data and jobless claims figures that continued to indicate the US labour market was in good health.
Europe midday: Stocks mixed as euro bounces on weak US CPI
European stocks are trading on a mixed note, helped by a weaker-than-expected print on consumer prices in the States.
Arbuthnot hails good start to year as customer loans and deposits rise
AIM-listed Arbuthnot Banking Group hailed a good start to the year on Thursday, as it reported a rise in customer loans and deposits.