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US close: Stocks recover from three days of losses
Shares on Wall Street showed signs of recovery on Wednesday, with all major indices edging higher amidst low trading volumes following three consecutive down sessions.
Europe close: Stoxx 600 notches another record as markets edge higher
European stocks reached another record high on Thursday, though gains were only small as investors refrained from taking on too much risk ahead of the long Easter weekend.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the Good Friday-truncated week up 70. 07 points, or 0. 89%, closing at 7,952. 62 on Thursday.
London close: Stocks finish firmer ahead of Easter break
London’s equity markets closed higher on Thursday ahead of the Easter break, despite lingering concerns over the UK's recessionary status in the latter part of last year.
Strong US consumer spending prompts upward revision to Q4 GDP
Revisions to fourth-quarter GDP figures showed that the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected rate at the end of 2023, according to data out on Thursday from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Ethernity reports positive discussions with potential customers
Networking processing semiconductor technology specialist Ethernity Networks said in an update on Thursday that, throughout the year to date, it had engaged positively with several potential new customers, including two OEM vendors.
FTSE 250 movers: AO, Spirent surge; Ithaca slides as it goes ex-div
FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,876. 51 0. 33%.
FTSE 100 movers: JD Sports surges; utilities in the red
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 5% at 7,974. 56 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Broker tips: DFS, JD Sports
Analysts at Berenberg downgraded their recommendation for shares of DFS Furniture from 'buy' to 'hold' on anticipation that management's guidance for improved demand in mid-2024 would prove premature.
Berenberg downgrades DFS, prefers Dunelm
Analysts at Berenberg downgraded their recommendation for shares of DFS Furniture from 'buy' to 'hold' on anticipation that management's guidance for improved demand in mid-2024 would prove premature.
Thames Water in crisis as investors pull £500m bailout
Struggling UK utility Thames Water faced a funding crisis on Thursday as shareholders pulled a £500m bailout after regulators refused its demands to hit customers with massive price hikes, greater leniency for polluting waterways and pay out higher dividends, while its parent company also admitted it couldn't pay back a £190m loan.
Simec Atlantis gets first £5m under EL land sale deal
Simec Atlantis Energy confirmed the receipt of the first £5m milestone payment under its agreement with EL Uskmouth, a subsidiary of FPC Electric Land, on Thursday.
Consumers confident in March that inflation will soften, U. Michigan says
Consumer confidence in the U. S. improved slightly in March amid lessened concern about inflation, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
US open: Stocks inch higher as economic data beats forecasts
US stock markets opened slightly higher on Thursday morning, but gains were modest as the S&P 500 continues to trade at record highs ahead of the long weekend.
Walgreens Boots Alliance grows Q2 sales but cuts profit target
Shares in American retail pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance rose on Thursday despite the company cutting its annual targets due to challenging conditions in the US, as sales in its second quarter came in ahead of expectations.
Pantheon Resources reports planning and funding progress
Pantheon Resources reported progress in its development planning and funding initiatives in an update on Thursday.
Berenberg impressed by "exceptional" dealmaking at Diploma
Berenberg has hiked its target price for controls, seals and life sciences equipment firm Diploma by 16%, saying there is "a lot to like" about this week's acquisition of US-based specialty fasteners business Peerless.
US jobless claims little changed during latest week
The U. S. jobs market remained tight during the preceding week.
Kitwave buys Total Foodservice in £21m deal
Wholesaler Kitwave announced the acquisition of Total Foodservice Solutions on Wednesday, an independent food wholesaler operating in the North of England.
MediaZest reports continued robust trading
Audio-visual specialist MediaZest said in an update on Thursday that, as explained in its full-year results earlier this month, it had seen a significant increase in activity during the final quarter of the last financial year ended 30 September.