Market Pulse
Europe close: Lenders pace gains in wake of FOMC decision
Banks lead Europe's main stockmarket indices to modest gains in the wake of the US central bank's policy announcement the night before with global capital markets apparently generally unruffled by the Federal Reserve's indications that it is looking to push ahead with multiple rate increases and balance sheet taper over the medium-term.
US open: Stocks dip as two-year yields hover near eight-year highs
Stocks are stuck in a bit of a rut as traders try to work out the implications of the US central bank's policy announcement the night before, despite a raft of better-than-expected readings on the economy.
London close: FTSE flat as investors mull latest Fed decision and UK lending figures
London stocks closed marginally lower on Thursday, giving up earlier small gains as investors digested the latest UK borrowing figures and Sterling bounced back.
Capita dives despite making progress in first half, results 'difficult to read'
Capita reported a mixed set of results for the first six months of the year but said underlying profits would "rise modestly" in the second half compared to the first, though some investors and analysts found the numbers rather disappointing and difficult to decode.
Capita staff prepare for strikes over pensions
Alongside Capita's labyrinthine half-year results that left many investors cold and sent the shares down 11%, the company was also forced to prepare for industrial action after unions voted to strike.
Chevron cancels drillship contract with Transocean
Chevron blew a hole in Transocean's share price on Thursday after cancelling its contract for ultra-deep water drillship Discoverer Clear Leader one year ahead of its scheduled expiry, effective from the following November.
Barnier fires shot across May's bows ahead of Florence speech
Ahead of the UK Prime Minister's major Brexit speech on Friday, chief European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has warned Theresa May against trying to have her cake and eat it and stressing that if a transition period is requested it will first require a withdrawal agreement.
IG Design Group swallows Aussie card firm Biscay
Designer and manufacturer of celebration, gifting, stationery and creative play products IG Design Group announced on Thursday that it has signed a contract to acquire the trade and certain assets of Biscay Greetings, which it described as a “leading” greetings card and paper products business based in Australia.
Friday preview: Importance of May's Brexit speech 'cannot be over-emphasised'
Theresa May's Big Brexit Speech in Florence may dominate the narrative on Friday, though for traders and investors there's PMI surveys and one from the CBI, with results from Sage and Smiths Group.
Engineering studies to enable Liberator field begin, i3 says
Independent oil and gas company i3 Energy announced on Thursday that detailed engineering studies to enable its 100% owned-and-operated Liberator field, to be tied into the existing Blake field 'host' infrastructure and produced through the Bleo Holm floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) had commenced.
FTSE 250 movers: Kier rallies on results but Capita crumbles
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 6% to 19,422. 90 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Eurozone consumer confidence increases in September
Eurozone households are feeling more confident about the economic situation, according to a key European Commission survey released on Thursday afternoon.
FTSE 100 movers: Johnson Matthey rallies but Fresnillo loses its shine
London's FTSE 100 was flat at 7,271. 33 in afternoon trade on Thursday as investors digested the latest UK borrowing figures.
Interest rates set to tumble in Brazil, Pantheon Macroeconomics says
Consumer prices in Brazil edged higher in September but remained well below the central bank's target level, which meant policy rates were set to tumble, according to some economists.
Driver Group expects better profits and lower debt
Driver Group said it expected underlying pre-tax profit will be ahead of its previous expectations as the construction and engineering services consultancy enjoyed a stronger trading performance during the second half of the year to September.
Manchester United posts record revenue as sponsorship rolls in
Manchester United saw record revenue in the financial year ended 30 June, according to latest quarterly results for the New York-listed football business.
Active Energy affiliate signs deal for eight CoalSwitch plants
Forestry management and biomass-based renewable energy business Active Energy announced on Thursday that its affiliate company Advanced Biomass Solutions had entered into an agreement with California-based Lumino Capital for the financing, development and operation of eight CoalSwitch Plants across South East Asia.
Amryt Pharma plans £13m placing
Amryt Pharma announced a proposed placing to raise €15m (£13. 3m) gross on Thursday, at a price of 20p per share from new and existing institutional and other investors.
First Property Group trading in line, investors told
First Property Group was continuing to trade “well” and in accordance with management expectations, investors in the property fund manager and investor were told on Thursday, as they gathered for its annual general meeting.
ImmuPharma makes solid progress with Lupuzor trial
Specialist drug discovery and development company ImmuPharma updated the market on its pivotal 52-week, randomised, double-blinded, Phase III clinical trial of Lupuzor on Thursday.