Market Pulse
Friday preview: Single currency, euro area economic data in focus
The Friday after Christmas is expected to remain quiet in London, with little left on the corporate and economic calendar that might rouse traders from their festive stupor.
Europe close: Rise in single currency weighs on shares
A late bout of selling sent stocks lower as traders pushed the single currency higher going into the end of the year.
Corbyn doesn't rule out a second referendum under Labour government
Labour's leader arguably shied away in a newspaper interview from ruling out a second referendum if he becomes Prime Minister.
London close: Shares hold on to record highs
London stocks finished the session little changed as strength in miners helped to offset the positive tone in the pound, although trading volumes and news were light heading into the new year.
Director dealings: Biffa MD and spouse sell shares
One of Biffa's top directors and his spouse sold a significant amount of their shares in the waste collection and recycling outfit.
Brexit department denies David Davis is being sidelined from talks
The Brexit department is accusing Brussels of trying to undermine David Davis and the government’s negotiating position by claiming he has been sidelined from Brexit talks.
The UK has achieved it's greenest year in energy ever
In terms of how the nation’s electricity is generated, 2017 has been the greenest year ever for the UK, according to National Grid.
Factory activity picks-up further in December, Chicago PMI says
Factory activity in the US Mid-West quickened again at the end of the year, according to the results of one of the most widely-followed surveys for the sector.
US open: Stocks flat as investors digest data slew amid light volumes
US stocks were little changed at the open on Thursday as investors sifted through a slew of data releases on an otherwise quiet day, with little in the way of corporate news and volumes thin ahead of the new year.
US foreign trade deficit widens in November
America's shortfall on its foreign trade in goods widened last month, as import growth continued to outpace that in the country's exports.
FTSE 250 movers: Kaz Minerals gains on copper rally in very quiet trade
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 1% to 20,662. 06 in very quiet, holiday-thinned trade on Thursday afternoon, after hitting a fresh all-time high of 20,665. 70 earlier in the day.
FTSE 100 movers: Rio Tinto rallies but BT, BATS down as they go ex-dividend
There wasn’t a whole lot going on in financial markets on Thursday, with volumes and news thin on the ground ahead of the new year, but that didn’t stop the FTSE 100 from creeping up to a fresh all-time high of 7,633. 55.
US initial jobless claims hold steady
The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits was steady last week, according to data from the Labor Department.
Asia close: Japanese stocks out of favour on yen strength
Most Asia Pacific equity markets turned in a positive performance on Thursday, outside of Japan where shares fell back on yen strength against a backdrop of a flattening US interest rate curve.
US pre-open: Stocks seen slightly higher in thin trade
US futures pointed to small gains at the open on Wall Street, with volumes and news light, although there were a few data points to look forward to.
Europe midday: Stocks little changed as euro strength ebbs
Stocks are holding lower, albeit only slightly so, as the upwards pressure on the single currency ebbs a little, although the US dollar is still trading on its back foot following the previous day's large drop in US government bond yields.
London midday: FTSE 100 creeps to new highs as miners rally
London stocks had edged a little further still by midday as miners lent a hand, but volumes and news were light as we head into the new year.
ITM Power creates new Australian subsidiary
Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power has formed a new Australian subsidiary to develop the market for its rapid response electrolyser technology, which will be headed up by Neil Thompson as managing director.
Theresa May urged to withdraw Tory whip over "disloyal" Brexit comments
Prime Minister Theresa May is being pressured by Brexit supporters to withdraw Conservative whip from Michael Heseltine over his "disloyal comments" suggesting that a Jeremy Corbyn government would be better than Brexit.
Telit Communications gets advanced waiver on banking convenants
AIM-listed Internet of Things provider Telit Communications said on Thursday that its leading financing bank has granted an advance waiver for the potential breach of covenants as at 31 December 2017.