Market Pulse
FX round-up: Sterling mixed, prone to volatility as PM May heads Brussels
Sterling had a mixed Thursday as PM Theresa May went to Brussels to unveil to European leaders her allegedly more generous plans for the rights of EU citizens in the UK.
Commodities: Crude gets a Thursday fillip higher, but downside risk remains
Prices of crude oil got a Thursday fillip higher as investors took some note of recent falls in US inventories, but nonetheless remain mindful of the black liquid's potential for further declines.
Union alleges serious decline in construction inspections
The Unite union issued a statement on Thursday, confirming it was seeking “urgent meetings” with ministers and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a freedom of information (FOI) request revealed a “sharp drop” in construction inspections.
EVR virtual reality platform enters global partnership with Microsoft
Virtual reality content creator EVR Holdings announced on Thursday that its subsidiary MelodyVR had entered into a global partnership and ‘Windows Mixed Reality App’ collaboration agreement with Microsoft Corporation.
FTSE 250 movers: Rotork boosted by upgrade; JD Sports goes ex-div
London's FTSE 250 down 0. 1% to 19,664. 53 in afternoon trade.
TP Group added to MOD supplier framework
Specialist services and engineering company TP Group announced on Thursday that it had been awarded listing on the ‘Multi-Participant Framework Agreement’ for technical support (FATS/5).
Friday preview: Eurozone and US flash PMIs to give early GDP growth reading
The UK corporate diary is all but empty on Friday, with most financial events happening away on foreign shores, with first 'flash' readings of June surveys for the eurozone and US.
US open: Wall Street little changed as oil prices stabilise
Wall Street's main indices were little changed in early trading as oil prices recovered their footing and against a backdrop of solid readings on the jobs and housing markets.
FTSE 100 movers: Provident Financial recovers; United Utilities goes ex-div
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 3% to 7,426. 43 in afternoon trade.
Sector movers: Diageo weighs on Beverages after costly takeover of Casamigos
Pharma and Industrial engineering shares are at the top of the leaderboard amid supportive news-flow and broker commentary.
Malvern launches first digital learning tech product with Playware
Educational services provider Malvern International announced on Thursday that, following the strategic plan announced in November 2016 and as part of its collaboration with Playware Studios Singapore announced in January 2017, it was launching its first digital offering in the area of learning technology.
Directa Plus teams up with Italian uniform manufacturer Alfredo Grassi
Graphene-based product producer and supplier Directa Plus announced that it had entered into joint development agreement (JDA) with Alfredo Grassi, which it described as a manufacturer of customised protective clothing, workwear and uniforms for private and public organisations globally.
Trans-Siberian Gold inks second debt facility at reduced cost
Trans-Siberian Gold clinched a second debt facility at a reduced cost.
Milestone's Nexstar launches know-your-customer product
Digital media technology company Milestone Group announced that Black Cactus Holdings - its joint venture partner in its subsidiary Nexstar - had launched a ‘know your customer’ (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) platform.
Defenx enters into software distribution agreement with partner BV-Tech
Cyber-security software group Defenx announced on Thursday that, further to the software acquisition and investment by BV-Tech announced on 11 April, the company entered into a software distribution contract as part of its strategic partnership with BV-Tech.
Electrical Geodesics board tells shareholders to approve £29m Philips merger
Neurodiagnostic medical technology company Electrical Geodesics (EGI) announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended acquisition under which Philips will acquire all of the outstanding shares of EGI for an aggregate consideration of £29m in cash, pursuant to the terms of an agreement and plan of merger entered into on 21 June between EGI, Philips, Merger Sub and others.
LXB makes further letting progress at Rushden Lakes and Stafford Riverside
Jersey resident closed-ended real estate investment company LXB Retail Properties announced further progress on lettings at Rushden Lakes Phase 3 and at Stafford Riverside on Thursday.
Prudent to wait until December to hike again, Fed's Harker says
In an interview with the Financial Times, the president of the Federal Reserve bank of Philadelphia, Patrick Harker, said it would be "prudent" for the US central bank to defer its next interest rate hike until December, instead of tightening at its September meeting.
UK population increases at fastest rate since WW2
Britain's population has swelled to nearly 67 million with growth in the past year reaching the fastest rate in almost 70 years, official figures showed on Thursday, boosted by continued net international migration.