Market Report
Friday preview: US corporate news in focus
Barring surprises, the economic calendar was looking rather sparse at the end of the week, with no economic releases scheduled in the UK and just one lone Fed speaker set to take to the podium on Friday, Chicago Fed chief Charles Evans, at 1710 BST.
American Express quarterly profits surge as cardmembers up spending
Financial services giant American Express reported a 31% increase in its first-quarter profits on Wednesday as a result of an impressive double-digit revenue growth.
UK could ban plastic straws and cotton buds as soon as next year
In a new move to fight plastic pollution, the UK government has promised to place a ban on plastic drinking straws and cotton buds later in the year.
Results round-up
Specialist engineering and technology recruitment business Gattaca watched its shares fall through the floor on Thursday, after it announced its interim results for the six months ended 31 January, with diluted earnings per share down 25%.
South32 ups guidance on manganese output
Western Australia based mining and metals company South32 upped its manganese production guidance on Thursday amid increased demand and prices for the mineral.
Europe close: Stocks buoyed by gains for Oil&Gas
Stocks were slightly higher by the close of trading, boosted by fresh gains in crude oil futures which took them further past the three-year highs seen in the previous session, albeit at a price potentially, according to analysts.
BoE's Carney dials back on rate hike expectations, pound drops
An interest rate rise is "likely" in 2018 but any tightening will be gradual, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney told the BBC, highlighting the shortfall seen in investment versus what might have been expected were it not for Brexit.
Broker tips: HSBC, Hammerson, Debenhams
After shares in HSBC endured a 12% year-to-date underperformance compared to UK domestic banking peers, analysts at Credit Suisse upped their rating and price target on the stock.
Market buzz: BoE's job "done" says BoA, Philip Morris gets smoked
1700:Close Stocks finished the session higher, led by Shire amid news that US rival Allergan had joined the fray for the rare-disease specialist, tabling a counter-offer to that from Japan's Takeda.
Sector movers: Tobacco giants burnt as Philip Morris smoked
Industrial engineering was the leading sector on Thursday, while tobacco stocks were the big fallers.
London close: Shire bid battle helps FTSE outperform European peers
London stocks clung on to small gains on Thursday as investors shrugged off disappointing retail sales data, with Shire given a shot in the arm as potential takeover battle emerged for the drugmaker.
Shire surges as Allergan confirms interest after Takeda rejected
Shire has received and rejected a takeover approach from Japan's Takeda Pharmaceutical, but was later confirmed to be in talks with US giant Allergan.
Director dealings: Purplebricks CEO lowers stake as Axel Springer steps in
Michael Bruce, chief executive officer of online realtor Purplebricks, sold 4. 44m shares in the agent on Thursday in order to satisfy German publishing giant Axel Springer's £125m investment.
Credit Suisse upgrades HSBC as expansion drives growth
After shares in HSBC endured a 12% year-to-date underperformance compared to UK domestic banking peers, analysts at Credit Suisse upped their rating and price target.
FTSE 100 movers: WPP and ITV lifted by Publicis numbers
London's FTSE 100 index was struggling to stay on the right side of the line by Thursday afternoon, with drugmaker Shire and media stocks in the driving seat to offset the weight of some major stocks going ex-dividend.
FTSE 250 movers: Weir rallies on acquisition, Ultra slumps on SFO probe
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 7% to 20,143. 34 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors digested the latest retail sales data.
US open: Dow Jones heads into negative territory after early losses
US trading opened on a slightly lower note on Thursday as Wall Street investors eyed more earnings and data releases for some fresh cues.
RBS makes new hire to build its 'world-class digital services'
The Royal Bank of Scotland has appointed a new chief digital officer to its personal and business banking unit as it continues in its attempts to build "world-class digital services" for both personal and small business customers.
Only the rain will halt Kodal Minerals' drilling programme at Bougouni
Mineral exploration and development company Kodal Minerals announced on Thursday that it plans to continue drilling on its Malian Bougouni lithium project until the start of the rainy season in June or July.
Angle optimises first ever workflow to culture CTCs
AIM-quoted liquid biopsy company Angle has demonstrated a workflow for culturing circulating tumour cells using its Parsortix system.