Market Pulse
Europe open: Stocks slip after Fed policy decision, ECB ahead
Stocks have begun the morning trading lower, tracking a mixed close on Wall Street overnight and on the back of a mixed batch of economic data out of China overnight.
Debenhams boosted by Investec upgrade to 'hold'
Debenhams got a boost on Thursday as Investec upgraded its stance on the stock to 'hold' from 'sell' following a drop in the share price.
Lonmin surges as it agrees £285m Sibanye-Stillwater takeover
Lonmin shares rose sharply on Thursday after the platinum miner agreed to be taken over by South Africa's Sibanye-Stillwater in an all-share deal that values the group at around £285m.
Ifo bumps up German growth forecasts
The Ifo Institute bumped up its German growth forecasts for next year as it highlighted strength in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Eurozone manufacturing PMI hits highest level on record in December - IHS Markit
Business activity in the eurozone accelerated in December, with manufacturing activity at a record high, according to figures released on Thursday.
Costain appointed to Crown Commercial Service management consultancy framework
Construction and engineering group Costain has been appointed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to provide consulting services as part of its management consultancy framework.
UK retail sales flatter to deceive thanks to Black Friday effect
UK retail sales increased much more than expected last month due to a statistical anomaly caused by Black Friday.
Commons defeat cranks up pressure on May ahead of Brussels summit
Prime Minister Theresa May suffered an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons overnight as dissenters from her own party joined opposition MPs in backing an amendment which requires a parliamentary vote on the final Brexit deal.
Commodities: DoE data sinks energy futures, Fed buoys gold
Commodities were little changed overall on Wednesday, but amid significant volatility underneath the surface.
Ocado's sales growth hit by lack of delivery drivers
Ocado reported slightly slower sales growth in the fourth quarter as a lack of delivery drivers put the brakes on capacity, though previous falls in the online grocer's average basket size were arrested.
Sports Direct first-half profits slump 67%
Despite claims by chief executive Mike Ashley that Sports Direct's elevation strategy is delivering a "spectacular trading performance", shares in the retailer slumped on Thursday as investors reacted to a 67% drop in pre-tax profit.
GCP Infrastructure maintains dividends amid market turbulence
GCP Infrastructure Investments posted its annual results for the year to 30 September on Thursday, confirming dividends of 7. 6p per share had been paid for the year, in line with that paid in 2016.
Capital & Counties acquires Covent Garden leasehold
Capital & Counties Properties has acquired the long leasehold interest in 15-17 Long Acre & 27b Floral Street for £79m before purchaser's costs.
Spectris offloads half of EMS B&K to Macquarie
Productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company Spectris has signed an agreement with Macquarie Capital - the corporate advisory and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group - for them to acquire 50% of Spectris' environmental monitoring business EMS Brüel & Kjær for a total cash consideration of AUD 76. 6m (£43. 4m), subject to closing adjustments.
Vesuvius cuts interest payments with new US bond issue
Vesuvius has raised €100m in a private US bond placing to pay off other, higher-coupon debt.
Capita reveals extra profit impairments and gloomy outlook
Capita said a number of extra restructuring and one off accounting charges will hit full year numbers, while a subdued market for public sector outsourcing contracts led to a fairly gloomy outlook.
888 Holdings pleased with progress as it approaches year-end
Online gaming entertainment and solutions provider 888 Holdings updated the market on its trading on Thursday, prior to entering the close period in respect of its full year results for the year to 31 December.
Meggitt warns on Falcon programme changes
Meggitt noted the announcement by Dassault Aviation of the cancellation of the Falcon 5X programme on Thursday, along with the launch of a new Falcon programme featuring the same cross section, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada engines, with an expected entry into service of 2022.
London open: Stocks edge down as investors eye rate announcements
London stocks edged lower in early trade on Thursday as investors digested a rate hike by the Federal Reserve and looked ahead to more policy decisions from the Bank of England and the European Central Bank.
Domino's Pizza Group buys another 44pc of Iceland franchisor
UK master franchise holder Domino's Pizza Group announced the proposed acquisition of a further 44. 3% shareholding in Domino's Iceland for EUR 30. 2m (£26. 7m) on Thursday, taking its ownership to 95. 3%.