Market Report
Dignity: Death is certain, pricing power is not, Berenberg says
Berenberg took an axe to its target price for Dignity, telling clients it is waiting to see how the firm responds to the competitive threat to its pricing power from new entrants into the market.
Europe close: Benchmarks manage to hold onto gains
Stocks finished in the black on Thursday even as traders pondered out loud whether to participate or not, while keeping a wary eye on the news-flow out of Capitol Hill regarding Republicans'push for tax cuts.
FTSE 250 movers: Close Brothers leads the way as Spire spirals downwards
The FTSE 250 index was up 0. 78% in late trading on Thursday after the selling endured over the course of the previous two weeks, with merchant banking group Close Brothers leading the charge.
Coca-Cola to hold first investor day since 2009
Coca-Cola reiterated its guidance on Thursday as it updated long-term goals ahead of its first investor day event in eight years.
Emerson Electrical raises offer for Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation shares took off on Thursday after Emerson Electrical raised its takeover bid by $10 per share.
London close: Stocks eke out only slight gains
London stocks managed to eke out only slight gains on Thursday, putting the brakes on a two week sell-off but unable to make any real headway as the pound ticked up on the back of the latest UK retail sales figures.
Mkango bags Noble as partner in Malawi rare earths project
Mkango Resources has secured backing for its Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi by giving away a 49% stake to Noble Group's Talaxis subsidiary.
BOS bombs after revealing 'urgent' cash talks
BOS Global was the biggest faller on AIM on Thursday after its overnight announcement that it is in "urgent discussions" with its main backer over its finances.
Alexander raises cash to cover all of 2018
Alexander Mining has raised £600,000 before expenses in a placing priced at 0. 15p to boost its coffers for general working capital and business development for the whole of next year.
Berenberg upgrades Marshalls to buy, raises target price to 510p
Analysts at Berenberg upgraded their view on Marshalls from an initial 'hold' to a 'buy' on Wednesday, citing its strong domestic performance after acquiring precast concrete manufacturer CPM in October as its reasoning.
Director dealings: Another Sophos director cuts stake
Just two days after Sophos' non-executive chairman Steve Munford cashed in 750,000 shares for a total of £4,386,652. 60, the group's chief executive officer Kris Hagerman disposed of more than 500,000 ordinary shares.
FTSE 100 movers: Shire gains but GKN slumps as new CEO leaves before even starting
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 2% to 7,387. 65 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors mulled the latest retail sales figures.
US open: Corporate results, factory data buoy Wall Street
Wall Street is back in the green, bouncing back from weakness earlier in the week thanks to a crop of positive corporate updates and a robust reading on factory output, even as some analysts continue to differ on the outlook.
President Energy expecting $3m from Argentine sales in November
Upstream oil and gas company President Energy updated the market on its operations at its Puesto Flores Field in Rio Negro Province, Argentina on Thursday, reporting that it is expecting more than $3m net cash proceeds from its Argentine oil sales in November.
Plutus PowerGen brings Crumlin facility into operation
Flexible energy generation developer Plutus Powergen has brought the 20MW FlexGen facility in Crumlin, South Wales, into operation, it announced on Thursday, to help to mitigate the current and forecast risk of an energy deficit.
Friday preview: Nothing major expected
Friday looks likely to be deathly quiet compared to the bustle of the previous days, with no major UK macroeconomic data and a quiet day scheduled in the company diary.
NAHB housing market index hits eight-month high in November
Sentiment among US housebuilders unexpectedly improved in November, hitting an eight-month high, according to data released on Thursday.
Angling Direct reels in two new stores in the North West
Specialist fishing tackle retailer Angling Direct announced on Thursday that it has acquired the stock and goodwill of North West Angling Centre and Tacklesaver for a total consideration of £0. 45m payable in cash, plus stock at valuation.
Improved eCommerce business gives Walmart revenue boost
US retail giant Walmart reported strong online growth across the third quarter as the battle to get back some of its business lost to the likes of Amazon intensified.
Autos and chemicals boost US industrial production in October
US manufacturing roared back into life in October, amply offsetting a large drop in mining output.