Market Pulse
Market buzz: Some analysts see four Fed hikes, Fed funds futures still say otherwise
1847: Northern Ireland talks collapse. DUP's Arlene Foster points to disagreements over a "stand alone" Irish Language Act as the main stumbling block, BBC reports.
Sector movers: Miners, Media, Banks all higher
Cyclicals were clearly in demand on Thursday, with Industrial Metals&Mining and Mining towards the top of the leaderboard as the US dollar gave back some of its recent ill-gotten gains and the start of the Lunar New Year holidays saw some Asian sellers come out of base metals markets for a time.
Commodities: Weaker dollar boon for WTI and COMEX gold futures
Commodities are higher across the board as the US dollar weakens, with lessened selling pressure on the back of the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays an added factor in the case of base metals.
DoE reports rise in weekly US oil and gasoline inventories
US oil stocks jumped last week alongside a large build in gasoline inventories.
Europe close: Stocks recover from abrupt drop after US CPI
Stocks finished higher across the Continent, seeing the day out from their best levels of the session after an abrupt US CPI-inspired drop in the afternoon.
Director dealings: Euromoney founder lowers stake
Euromoney's founder Sir Patrick Sergeant cashed in a total of 40,000 ordinary shares in the group on Wednesday, collecting £457,326. 50 in the process.
Broker tips: Victrex, Virgin Money, AG Barr, Accesso
Analysts at Credit Suisse retained their 'buy' recommendation for shares of Victrex on Wednesday, telling clients that it estimates the plastics manufacturers' technology pipeline could deliver high single-digit top-line growth to 2025 and forecast a 5% FCF and total dividend yield.
London close: Stocks gain as Wall Street surprises, rising after CPI report
London equity markets finished near their best levels of the session on Wednesday, after an unexpectedly strong reading on US consumer prices failed to knock Wall Street lower, arguably the biggest surprise of the session.
Berenberg starts Accesso at a 'buy', sets 2,700p target
Analysts at Berenberg initiated coverage on leisure industry group Accesso Technology with a 'buy' rating on Wednesday, citing several factors that they believed would lead to "double-digit organic revenue growth" over the coming years as their reasoning.
Greatland Gold set to start up the drills at Havieron in April
Greatland Gold announced on Wednesday that it is ready to conduct its first drilling campaign at its Havieron licence in April.
US open: Wall Street does its best to give CPI data the slip
Early trading pointed to another positive session on Wall Street on Wednesday, while there was some volatility after the release of the latest inflation figures, stocks had come off their session lows, with all the main indices having pivoted into the green.
Credit Suisse raises target price and reiterates 'buy' on Victrex
Analysts at Credit Suisse retained their 'buy' recommendation for shares of Victrex on Wednesday, telling clients that it estimates the plastics manufacturers' technology pipeline could deliver high single-digit top-line growth to 2025 and forecast a 5% FCF and total dividend yield.
Union Jack Oil outlines extensive 2018 work plan
UK-focussed onshore oil and gas production and exploration company Union Jack Oil updated the market on its operations on Wednesday, reporting that 2018 was expected to see potentially high-impact drilling at Biscathorpe and Holmwood as well as a new planning application to be submitted during April 2018 on Wressle.
FTSE 250 movers: Melrose rises but Galliford Try hit by cash call
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 7% to 19,458. 55 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.
US January CPI comes in ahead of forecasts
The cost of living in the US was steady last month, contrary to expectations for a dip, buoyed by unusually large increases in clothing and medical care prices, with those for the former rising at their quickest pace since 1990.
Hargreaves Services upbeat despite swinging to interim loss
Industrial, energy and property services provider Hargreaves Services announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 November on Wednesday, with revenue falling to £150. 3m from £170. 9m.
AG Barr fizzes lower on JPMorgan downgrade to 'underweight'
AG Barr shares fizzed lower on Wednesday as JPMorgan Cazenove cut its stance on the Irn Bru maker to 'underweight' from 'neutral' and chopped the price target to 570p from 630p amid concerns about growing competition.
Persimmon boss to donate "portion" of bonus to charity
The chief executive of UK home builder Persimmon announced on Wednesday that he will donate a portion of his controversial £100m bonus to charity.
Keystone Law makes significant progress ahead of maiden results
Challenger law firm Keystone Law issued a pre-close trading update ahead of its maiden final results for the year ended 31 January on Wednesday.
Northamber moving closer to profitability, says chair
IT equipment distributor Northamber released what it described as a “refreshing” interim report on Wednesday, with turnover rising 9. 1% to £31. 6m for the first six months of its financial year.