Market Report
Friday preview: US data, Wetherspoon's in the spotlight
With next week's US central bank policy meeting looming ever closer, the focus at the end of the week will again be on a raft of economic indicators.
Chocolate could disappear by 2050 due to climate change
Cocoa plants as we know them are expected to become extinct by as early as 2050 as global warming pushes temperatures higher and levels of humidity fall, the World Economic Forum said on Thursday.
Europe close: Shares boosted by strong US factory sector surveys
Stocks rose as two important US regional manufacturing gauges pointed to robust activity ahead, with traders apparently giving short shrift to the heavy news-flow regarding continuing trade tensions and geopolitical tensions.
Market buzz: NEX receives approach from CME, Unilever picks Rotterdam
1748: NEX Group, Icap as was, has confirmed (in an announcement at 1737 GMT) that it has received a preliminary approach by CME Group regarding a potential acquisition of NEX. "Discussions are at an early stage and there can be no certainty that an offer for NEX will be made, nor as to the terms of any offer, if made. " .
London close: Financials help FTSE perk up after three-day decline
Having hummed and hawed all day amid a buzz of UK corporate and global geopolitical news on Thursday, London's blue chip share index showed signs of life after being laid up for the first three days of the week.
Director dealings: Carnival boss sells some shares
Cruise line operator Carnival's boss let go of a package of shares worth $149,626 at a price of $68 each.
FTSE 250 movers: Hikma looks over hiccup, Cussons warns again
London's FTSE 250 index was little moved on Thursday, with a rallying Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Cineworld leading the risers as PZ Cussons and Spirax fell.
Trump's new economic adviser Kudlow sparks new trade war jitters
President Donald Trump’s new chief economic adviser has triggered renewed concerns about a trade war by calling for the US to lead a coalition of nations to stand up to China.
Purplebricks takes a hit as UBS highlights slowdown
Purplebricks was under the cosh on Thursday as UBS pointed out that growth is slowing at the online estate agent, while competitor Yopa is making progress.
US open: Stocks edge higher amid tensions with China, Russia
Wall Street is registering slight gains on the back of upbeat data on US manufacturing, apparently brushing off simmering tensions on the trade front with China and on the geopolitical side of things with the Russian Federation.
BT Openreach to hire 3,500 trainee broadband engineers
BT’s network infrastructure division Openreach announced it will hire 3,500 new trainee engineers over the next 12 months on Thursday.
FTSE 100 movers: Tesco rallies on JPM upgrade; Hammerson slides
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% to 7,154. 22 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Totally's Vocare secures a number of contract extensions
Out-of-hospital services provider Totally has secured a number of contract extensions through its wholly-owned urgent care services subsidiary Vocare, it announced on Thursday.
Globalworth buys Warsaw office block for EUR 55m
Globalworth Real Estate announced the acquisition of Warta Tower, a modern office tower in the City Centre West district of Warsaw, by Globalworth Poland for a consideration of €55m on Thursday.
NAHB housing market index dips in March but still strong
Sentiment among US housebuilders remained strong in March, according to data released on Thursday.
Amryt Pharma pleased with progress, announces new in-licence agreement
Rare and orphan disease-focussed biopharmaceutical company Amryt Pharma updated the market on its trading on Thursday, and announced that it has concluded terms for an exclusive in-licence agreement for a novel gene therapy platform, offering a “potentially exciting” treatment for patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Ten Lifestyle Group signs big contract with HSBC
Technology-enabled lifestyle and travel platform Ten Lifestyle Group has signed a “significant contract” with HSBC Group, it announced on Thursday, to provide concierge services to one of the group's exclusive wealth propositions.
US import prices rise most since April 2017 in February, but shy of forecasts
Import prices rose at a slower pace than expected last month, amid a decline in the cost of fuel imports and downwards revisions to data for the previous months.
Asia report: Markets mixed as Trump trade fears continue
Markets in Asia finished mixed on Thursday, with political developments in the US remaining in focus, as the White House said it wanted China’s trade surplus with the US to drop by $100bn.
Unilever opts for Rotterdam over London in head office shake-up
Unilever and the UK government have denied the consumer goods giant's decision to base its head office in the Netherlands is a vote of no-confidence in Brexit Britain.