Market Report
Friday preview: All attention on AstraZeneca and Hikma numbers
After three packed days of company news, London's diary for Friday is much lighter, with quarterly numbers from drug makers AstraZeneca and Hikma getting the full attention of investors.
US Philly Fed index rockets in May, hiring strengthens
Perhaps the most closely-followed lead indicator for factory sector activity in the States jumped past forecasts in May as new orders rocketed.
Mothercare swings to loss, confirms store closures and announces refinancing
Beleaguered mother and child retailer Mothercare has confirmed the closure of 50 stores, announced a refinancing package and said it was re-hiring chief executive Mark Newton-Jones, who stepped down last month, as it swung to a full-year pre-tax loss.
Motif Bio looks to raise £10m via accelerated bookbuild
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Motif Bio is looking to raise up £10m by way of a conditional placing with new and existing investors in order to assist the firm with regulatory and other investments for iclaprim, its novel antibiotic candidate.
Avesoro Resources 'pleased' with assay result from Liberia drilling programme
Gold production, development and exploration firm Avesoro Resources announced reported on Thursday on the final assay results from its 55 hole New Liberty infill drilling programme in Liberia.
Walmart posts earnings beat as revenue rises
Walmart beat earnings forecasts and posted an improvement in total revenue for its first quarter on Thursday, with the figure coming in at $122. 7bn - an increase of $5. 1bn, or 4. 4%.
UK govt launches fracking fund and planning service to help councils, developers
To speed planning permission for fracking projects in England, ministers have launched a fund to help local authorities deal with shale applications and a new 'planning brokerage service' to help both developers and local authorities with the application process.
US weekly unemployment claims increase by more than expected
US jobless claims for last week increased by moderately more than markets were expecting.
Asia report: Markets mixed as US and China begin second round of talks
Markets in Asia finished Thursday’s session mixed, as investors kept watch on the second round of trade talks between the US and China.
Europe midday: Markets move cautiously higher ahead of expected coalition deal in Italy
European stocks are seeing moderate gains on the heels of the previous session's advance on Wall Street, even as US government bond yields continued their climb higher on Wednesday, but with traders keeping a close eye on political events unfolding in Italy.
Water Intelligence makes a splash as 'exciting journey' continues
Leak detection and remediation solutions firm Water Intelligence saw revenues and profits leap more than 45% in a trading year seen as a "jumping-off point" by directors.
Jefferies downgrades Softcat after share price strength
Softcat was under the cosh on Thursday as Jefferies cut the stock to 'hold' from 'buy' following recent share price strength.
London midday: Stocks climb as pound eases on Downing St denial of customs report
London stocks had edged up by midday on Thursday as bookies recovered some of their losses, while the pound eased a little after Prime Minister Theresa May denied a report that the UK could stay in the customs union.
Euromoney posts solid first half filled with M&A activity
Euromoney Institutional Investor reported a “good” first-half performance in its interim results on Thursday, with total revenues up 3% to £209. 6m, and underlying revenues up 4%.
US pre-open: Stocks seen lower as bond yields remain elevated; oil prices in focus
US futures pointed to a lower open on Thursday, with investors likely to keep a close eye on still-elevated bond yields and trade talks with China.
Fevertree trading in line as UK remains strong, US going to plan
AIM-listed posh mixers maker Fevertree Drinks said on Thursday that the first four months of this year have seen further progress after 2017 proved to be another year of strong growth, with "impressive" rates of sale growth and market share gains.
Byotrol secures US retail trial with Target
AIM-quoted anti-microbial technology company Byotrol has secured a mass market retail trial in the US for its 24-hour germ-kill surface sanitizer Byotrol24.
Genel follows 'landmark' year with solid start to 2018
London based oil and gas firm Genel Energy told investors at its annual general meeting on Thursday that momentum seen during its "landmark 2017" had carried on into 2018.
Tritax Big Box confirms Q1 dividend
Tritax Big Box REIT declared a first-quarter interim dividend of 1. 675p per share, to be paid on 11 June.
SDX Energy quarterly revenues jump during 'busy period'
North Africa focused oil and gas company SDX Energy saw revenues and overall production move "significantly" ahead in the first quarter of its trading year.