Market Report
Broker tips: Schroders, IMI
Analysts at Berenberg believe Schroders is set for a period of lower assets under management, faster margin declines and a greater reliance on cost discipline to achieve profit targets, leading the broker to change its stance on the investment manager.
Results round-up
Debt purchaser Arrow Global made saw revenues grow throughout the first quarter of its trading year as a result of an increase in core collections and a 19. 9% increase in asset management income.
Europe close: Stocks higher as Wall Street moves into the black for the year
European stocks finished mostly higher, as the Dow Jones Industrials continued climbing, following the S&P 500's push into positive territory for the year during the previous session, thanks to a weaker-than-expected reading on US consumer prices.
BoE cuts near-term forecasts, points to hike towards turn of year
Policymakers at the Bank of England opted to keep Bank Rate on hold on Thursday, sticking to their forecasts for a moderate pace of economic expansion over the medium-term, while pointing to current market pricing for another hike in Bank Rate around the turn of the year - although there were two dissenters.
FX round-up: Pound lower as Bank of England delivers unexpected 'dovish hold'
Sterling weakened after the Monetary Policy Committee surprised economists who were expecting a 'hawkish hold' on policy, by cutting its forecasts for near-term growth in the UK economy and for inflation.
Sector movers: Retailers and banks rise, telecoms dragged down
Miners, retailers and banks were on the up on Thursday, while telecoms was the main faller.
Market buzz: BT fails to inspire, Carney says economy will pick back up
1655:Close UK economy will pick back-up, not "rocket back up", driven by exporters and investment, Carney tells the BBC.
London close: Stocks rise as BoE's softer forecast hits pound
London stocks finished higher on Thursday as the Bank of England's wait-and-see attitude put pressure on the pound, while updates from Next, RBS and ITV were well received.
On The Beach plunges as full year forecasts trimmed
On The Beach grew adjusted profits 15% in the first half of the year but the bottom and top line were affected by the collapse of Monarch Airlines, while separately chairman Richard Segal has decided to step down.
US open: Positive open following flat jobless claims figures
Wall Street trading began on a positive note on Thursday as investors thumbed through weaker-than-expected inflation data and jobless claims figures that continued to indicate the US labour market was in good health.
Europe midday: Stocks mixed as euro bounces on weak US CPI
European stocks are trading on a mixed note, helped by a weaker-than-expected print on consumer prices in the States.
Arbuthnot hails good start to year as customer loans and deposits rise
AIM-listed Arbuthnot Banking Group hailed a good start to the year on Thursday, as it reported a rise in customer loans and deposits.
Byotrol gets approval in all 50 US states, to appear on Amazon
Anti-microbial technology company Byotrol has now completed the product registration process in the US for its 24-hour germ-kill surface sanitiser, it announced on Thursday.
FTSE 250 movers: Capita tumbles as it goes ex-rights; On The Beach gets burned
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 1% to 20,703. 64 in afternoon trade on Thursday, as investors mulled the latest BoE rate announcement and a slew of corporate news.
CareTech ends first half in line with forecasts
Specialist social care services provider CareTech Holdings issued its pre-close trading update ahead of its results for the half-year ended 31 March on Thursday, confirming that trading for the period was in line with market expectations.
Carlton Main acquisition a winner for Michelmersh
Specialist brick, land development and landfill company Michelmersh Brick Holdings has performed well in the first four months of the year, its shareholders heard on Thursday, as they gathered for the firm’s annual general meeting.
Metals Exploration directors resign
Two non-executive directors of AIM-quoted natural resources group Metals Exploration resigned on Thursday, just weeks after the firm revealed that gold sales had tumbled almost two-thirds in its first trading quarter to 11,338 ounces.
IMI represents 'interesting' buying opportunity, says Jefferies
After sitting on the sidelines and biding their time on IMI for a while, analysts at Jefferies felt that the stock now represented an "interesting" buying opportunity at its current valuation.
XP Power acquires US power supplies business
Critical power control components manufacturer XP Power has agreed to acquire US power supplies designer Glassman in a deal worth $44. 5m.
Director dealings: Bunzl CEO lowers stake ahead of retirement
Patrick Larmon, chief executive of cleaning products supplier Bunzl's North American operations, lowered his stake in the FTSE 100 firm by 34,000 ordinary shares on Thursday, shortly after being awarded the shares as a part of the group's long-term incentive plan.