International News
Commodities: DoE data boosts WTI futures, net oil imports lowest since 1992
Energy futures climbed on Thursday following the release of data showing a large drawdown in US stockpiles, which helped to buoy the entire complex.
Bonds: Weaker GDP buoys Gilts, US Treasuries retrace losses
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 92% (-3bp) UK: 1. 55% (-1bp) Germany: 0. 71% (-2bp) France: 0. 98% (-1bp) Italy: 2. 08% (+3bp) Spain: 1. 52% (+1bp) Portugal: 2. 03% (+3bp) Greece: 4. 37% (-7bp) Japan: 0. 06% (+0bp).
US close: Solid jobs data sees markets rise
Stocks rose across the board in the US on Thursday, after positive data on the labour market offset investor concerns surrounding potential interest rate hikes coming from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting.
South Korean app allows women to share sexual harassment experiences anonymously
The new feature for the South Korean app 'Blind' allows women to share their experiences regarding sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace, giving importance to the #MeToo movement without risking being victimised yet again for whistleblowing.
Countries with restrictions on freedom of speech rank highest in annual corruption perception index
Transparency International's 2017 Corruption Perception Index reveals high levels of corruption in over two-thirds of countries, with the UK among the few that managed to improve their rating.
Europe close: Stocks track gains on Wall Street
A late buying spree lifted stocks across the Continent off their session lows, with traders seemingly breathing a sigh of relief as Wall Street began Thursday's session on the up.
US open: Stocks bounce back after Fed minutes on better-than-expected labour data
Stocks rose across the board as Wall Street trading kicked off on Thursday, as positive data on the labour market offset investors' concerns surrounding potential interest rate hikes coming from the Federal Reserve's most recent meeting.
US initial jobless claims decline
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits fell last week, according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday.
Parliament to question Cambridge Analytica chief as part of 'fake news' inquiry
Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) is questioning Alexander Nix, CEO of Cambridge Analytica on 27 February as part of parliamentary enquiry into fake news to investigate if the public has been manipulated and been fed untruths.
US corporate investment may be coming out of the doldrums, Fed's Quarles says
Corporate investment may finally be coming out of the doldrums, a top US central bank official said, sticking to the monetary authority's mantra that policy should continue to be gradually "normalised" given job market strength and the "likely only temporary" softness of inflation.
Asia report: Markets mixed as investors react to Fed minutes
Markets in Asia finished mixed on Thursday, as mainland China returned to the fray and traders reacted to the latest Federal Reserve minutes, released in the US overnight.
US pre-open: Stocks to nudge up as investors continue to digest Fed minutes
US futures pointed to small gains at the open on Thursday following losses in the previous session, as interest rate concerns continued to play on investors' minds.
German business confidence deteriorates more than expected in February - Ifo
German business confidence deteriorated more than expected in February, according to a widely-followed survey released on Thursday.
US close: Markets fall as Fed hints at rate hikes
Wall Street stocks finished lower on Wednesday, after the minutes from the latest Federal Reserve policy meeting suggested more interest rate hikes are on the way.