Market Pulse
Europe close: Shares end session with solid gains
European stocks finished the session with solid gains as investors brushed aside concerns about trade tensions between the US and China, emerging markets and despite a mixed close on Wall Street overnight.
Broker tips: Aveva, Boohoo, City Pub Group
Shore Capital upgraded online fashion retailer Boohoo to 'buy' from 'hold' on Thursday following a 13% drop in the share price in the last three months.
Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas acquires Pan Africa Oil Namibia
Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas acquired Pan Africa Oil Namibia on Thursday after the AIM-listed firm picked up the last 10% of the outfit's shares not already in its possession.
Barclays customers frustrated by online glitch
Barclays customers were locked out of their accounts for hours on Thursday after technical glitches struck the bank’s online and telephone banking services.
Friday preview: Public sector borrowing, SIG in focus
The focus at the end of the week will be on the government's finances for the month of August, with ONS set to release public sector borrowing data at 0930 BST.
London close: FTSE hits 10-day high after strong retail data
London stocks finished at a 10-day high on Thursday, lifted by miners, retailers and financials, while the pound given a boost by an unexpected jump in retail sales last month and Brexit hopes.
EU to push Facebook to comply with consumer rules or face sanctions
Facebook could face European Union sanctions if they fail to bring their user terms in line with the block’s consumer laws and continue to mislead users regarding the main characteristics of the platform’s services.
Berenberg ups target price on 'unique' City Pub Group
Analysts at Berenberg reiterated their 'buy' rating and upped their target price on City Pub Group on Thursday morning following the landlord's "solid set" of interim results.
US open: Stocks go green as investors digest a data buffet
Wall Street trading started off with some solid gains on Thursday as investors shrugged off the trade conflict between the US and China and thumbed through a slew of data releases.
Director dealings: Hastings chairman lowers stake
Hastings Group chairman Gary Hoffman disposed of 545,187 ordinary shares in the firm on Thursday.
Sector movers: Life insurers bounce, retail flat despite strong data
Life insurers were in the pink again on Thursday, while the retailers were flat despite strong industry data.
City eye for a fashion guy: Burberry splits analysts
Burberry shares were hit as suited and booted City analysts cast their eye over the London Fashion Week debut of the fashion house's new creative director, Ricardo Tisci.
FTSE 100 movers: Rio rallies on share buyback; GVC goes ex-div
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 4% to 7,360. 55 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US existing home sales steady in August
Sales of US existing homes were steady in August, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
Barclays upgrades Aveva after capital markets day
Barclays upgraded Aveva to 'overweight' from 'equalweight' on Thursday and lifted the price target to 3,150p from 2,800p following the company's capital markets day a day earlier.
Adept4 reaches settlement with managed IT vendors with 'small cash inflow'
IT-as-a-service provider Adept4 has successfully settled its legal dispute with the vendors of Adept4 Managed IT, it announced on Thursday, as it outline in its interim results for the six months ended 31 March.
Sky suitors auction to decide takeover by end of week
An auction to decide the buyer of Sky will be decided by Saturday evening after the battle between 21st Century Fox and Comcast reached a stand-off.
Mayan Energy suffers delays at Forest Hill due to lack of access
Oil and gas company Mayan Energy updated the market on its Forest Hill assets in Wood County, Texas on Thursday, where it holds a 75% working interest and a 52. 5% net revenue interest in two oil and gas leases.
Northern Bear makes good trading progress in first half
Northern Bear updated the market on its trading for the six month period to 30 September on Thursday, reporting that its unaudited interim results would show operating profit ahead of prior year results.
Beach Marcelle waterflood project going well, says Range Resources
International oil and gas company Range Resources updated the market on its producing waterflood project in the south east area of the Beach Marcelle field in Trinidad on Thursday, reporting that it was now undertaking work to expand the project.