Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is set to launch a driverless system in the UK, allowing motorists to take their hands off the wheel while travelling at speeds of up to 70mph.
Owners of the Mustang Mach-E, a fully electric SUV, will have to pay £18 a month to sign up for the US car manufacturer's “BlueCruise” system.
Ethereum (ETH) outshined bitcoin on Thursday with a 4% rally, bringing the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency above US$2,000 for the first time in eight months.
It follows yesterday’s major Shanghai upgrade, which made over US$30bn of staked ETH coins available for redemption.
HSBC is considering the former Fleet St offices of Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) as an alternative to its current head office in Canary Wharf, according to reports today.
A number of possibilities have been suggested to the bank, Bloomberg reported today, with the Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) office that at one time houses the Daily Express, high on the list.
Fast Retailing Co Ltd, the owner of clothing retailer Uniqlo, saw its profits jump 16% in the first six months of its financial year leading the company to lift full-year guidance.
The Japanese company cited recovery in China and healthy sales in North America and Europe as key driving forces for growth.
UK bank share prices may remain relatively resilient in the near-term but JPMorgan expressed caution beyond that.
Ahead of the first-quarter reporting season for the FTSE 100-listed lenders at the end of the month, analyst Raul Sinha at the US investment bank’s London arm said the team continues to avoid domestic UK banks within their ‘top picks’ for the sector.
The Premier League has agreed to ban gambling sponsors on the front of their shirts from the start of the 2026-2027 season.
Sponsorships will still be available in other areas, including sleeves and pitchside hoardings.
Carlos Abarca, ex-chief information officer of TSB Banking Group (LSE:TSB), has been hit with an £81,620 fine from the Bank of England (BoE) over its 2018 IT system crash.
Some 5.2mln customers were left unable to access banking services via telephones, mobiles, the internet and even in person due to a fault on a new IT system adopted by TSB in April 2018.
Plummeting UK house prices and a decline in buyer demand are having a knock-on on the UK rental market, according to today’s UK Residential Survey published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
House prices are predicted to continue falling, with RICS noting a decline in buyer demand for the 11th consecutive month in March.
Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) has partnered with trading app eTORO to bring more stock, crypto and other asset trading data to its app.
Users wishing to trade will be directed to eTORO’s site through a button on Elon Musk’s social media, with the deal set to expand the amount of market data on Twitter.
Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (EPA:MC), a luxury retail conglomerate, witnessed its share price rocket to all-time highs on Thursday caused by what analysts believe was a bump from Chinese markets and its fashion and leather brand.
The Parisian company reported that overall sales in Asia had risen by 14% in the first quarter of 2023.
JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) has requested its managing directors to work from the office for five days a week, according to a memo seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
"Our leaders play a critical role in reinforcing our culture and running our businesses," read the memo, continuing: "They have to be visible on the floor, they must meet with clients, they need to teach and advise, and they should always be accessible for immediate feedback and impromptu meetings."
Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has publicly committed to supporting climate change resolutions at future annual meetings of several major US and Canadian banks.
According to the fund manager, it is escalating its support for climate votes to ensure that decarbonisation of the banking sector continues in line with the Paris Agreement.
Netflix co-founder Mark Randolf is on a nostalgia trip of late, kindled by the 25-year anniversary of the DVD-cum-streaming giant he established with Reed Hastings in Scotts Valley, California back when Chumbawumba and All Saints were battling it out for chart supremacy.
Speaking of Kindles, Randolph’s Twitter-curated journey down memory lane produced a bit of a bombshell: Amazon seer Jeff Bezos offered to buy the fledgling start-up for US$15mln merely a year after its founding. That’s around US$28mln by today’s standards.
Oil prices have been pushed and pulled in the past day, after the prospect of no further interest rate rises in the US were slammed by recessionary fears from the Federal reserve.
Crude sat at US$82.78 a barrel on Thursday afternoon, having fallen 0.9% from Wednesdays’ peak of US$83.53.
Shares in Alibaba Group (NYSE:BABA) fell 2% after Japanese investment giant SoftBank sold almost all of its remaining shares.
The shares have rebounded so far this year after falling to seven-year lows in the autumn, helped by improving results and supported by the unwinding of Chinese Covid lockdowns.
Defence companies should continue to see restocking demand from Western armies even though the outcome of the Ukraine war remains hard to predict, according to Citibank.
Restocking will proceed irrespective of when and how the conflict ends, says the US bank, but it cautions that investor sentiment on this issue is likely to impact the sector near-term.
Commodity broker Marex is considering listing in New York as it looks to revive its plans for an initial public offering, in the latest sign that the London stock market is losing its lustre, according to the Financial Times.
The London-headquartered group cancelled a listing in the UK capital in 2021 with a targeted valuation of between US$650mln and US$800mln, but is now assessing both cities for a share sale that could take place early next year if market conditions are appropriate.
FTX’s bankruptcy estate has made significant progress in tracing down billions of dollars in funds lost following the calamitous collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s cryptocurrency exchange.
“There’s an overwhelming number of ongoing workstreams and ongoing issues in every discipline… Today the situation has been stabilised and the dumpster fire is out, FTX attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell Andy Dietderich told the Delaware Bankruptcy Court on Wednesday.
Harry Potter will return to screens in a new HBO Max series as part of a reshuffle of Warner Bros Discovery Inc (NASDAQ:WBD)’s streaming service, though investors seemed underwhelmed by the news.
Each series will be “authentic” to one of the books, according to HBO, with the seven books by JK Rowling (published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC) suggesting there could be at least as many years worth of programming released on the new Max streaming platform.
Shares in Foresight Group Holdings Ltd (LSE:FSG), the investment trust and VCT manager, rose 8% to 412.5p after it upped its underlying profit guidance for the year to end-March as revenue is expected to be "significantly up" on the prior year ahead of latest consensus forecasts.
The manager of JLEN Environmental Assets (LSE:JLEN) and Foresight VCT, strengthening its guidance for core EBITDA to the top end of its previously guided 8-10% range.
Copper prices have been forecasted to reach an all-time high later this year, according to commodity trading company Trafigura.
Prices reached a one-month high today, currently trading at US$4.1/lbs, as concerns surrounding supplies intensify.
Shares in housebuilders rose strongly following an upbeat research note from HSBC which believes the downturn in the housing market is more than priced-in to current share prices.
Barratt Developments PLC (LSE:BDEV), Taylor Wimpey PLC (LSE:TW.) and Berkeley Group Holdings PLC (LSE:BKG) were all prominent risers in the FTSE 100 up 2.1%, 1.9% and 1.9% respectively. Persimmon PLC (LSE:PSN) fell back 2.9% but the stock traded ex-dividend today.
Jefferies has reiterated its 'buy' recommendation for Serica Energy PLC (AIM:SQZ) with a share price target of 340p.
The current price stands at 244p, up 1%, and the bank remains optimistic about the company's financials and growth, particularly following the £367mln acquisition of Tailwind Energy.
Tesco PLC (LSE:TSCO) is bruised after a tough and challenging year but the UK’s largest retailer appears to have the financial strength to ride out all that is thrown its way.
Sales rose but profits fell as the grocer, which unveiled its annual results today, faced a margin squeeze from the potent combination of increased competition and soaring costs.
Diageo PLC (LSE:DGE), global supplier of high-profile alcoholic drinks brands including Guinness, Baileys and Johnnie Walker, has decided to delist its shares from the Dublin and Paris stock exchanges following a review of the trading volumes, costs and administrative requirements for the Euronext listings.
The £80bn corporation said the delistings will not have any impact on Diageo's day-to-day operations in France or Ireland, but “Investors whose shares are listed on Euronext Paris or Euronext Dublin are encouraged to consult with their own investment advisers as to how the delistings may affect them”.
UK mortgage availability turned positive for the first time in over a year in the past quarter, the latest Bank of England survey showed, but
But amid recent banking sector wobbles, lenders to plan a tighter supply of new mortgages in the second quarter.
Distil PLC (AIM:DIS) shares dropped 4% to 0.46p as the RedLeg Spiced Rum and Blavod vodka owner said full-year revenue came in slightly below market expectations and losses grew.
Although volumes decreased 40% and revenues 37% in the fourth quarter, it was the strongest performance of the year.
Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF) chief executive Lorna Blaisse says the explorer is still on track to spud its next well in the third quarter of 2023.
The company, which has potentially one of the largest primary sources of helium in the world, continues to work in preparation of the drill programme – notably it recently secured some funding and inked a non-binding letter of intent (LOI), both of which move it closer to the start of drilling.
Science in Sport PLC (AIM:SIS) shares rose 6% on Thursday morning after the company reassured of a “high level of confidence" in its business model and growth plan after a hit in April last year.
“A combination of the rapid global increase in input costs and a levelling off in market growth” had an adverse impact and left it undervalued in 2022, the AIM-listed sports nutrition firm said.
Corero Network Security PLC (AIM:CNS) shares jumped 8.7% higher to 6.25p in early deals on Thursday after the cyber defence solutions firm revealed a string of “significant” new orders in the first quarter of 2023.
The orders, worth US$2mln and placed by both new and existing customers, are for Corero’s SmartWall Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection solutions and services.
UK house prices dropped last month and are predicted to continue falling as a survey noted a decline in buyer demand for the 11th consecutive month.
Enquiries from new buyers showed a balance of -29% of surveyors reporting falling demand over those reporting rising demand, according to the monthly Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ (RICS) review.
All eyes were on Ethereum (ETH) in the past 24 hours, as the high-stakes Shanghai hard fork, which has finally allowed the tens of thousands of ETH stakers to access and potentially sell their coins, went live.
Unlike the years of delays that blighted Ethereum’s last major upgrade ‘The Merge’, Shanghai went off without a hitch, dead on the expected time stamp of 10.27pm UTC.
Kodal Minerals PLC (AIM:KOD) said Hainan Mining Co. Limited has now received all necessary approvals from the Chinese government authorities to allow it to complete its funding and investment agreement with the company.
As announced on 19 January 2023, the funding package will provide full financing for the development and commencement of production at Kodal's Bougouni lithium project in Mali and support a major exploration and development programme.
Ananda Developments (AQSE:ANA) said newly acquired subsidiary MRX Medical is to launch its first cannabidiol medical cannabis oil in two clinics in June.
MRX1 cannabidiol medical cannabis oil has also been put on stability trials ahead of two Randomised Controlled Trials, it added.
Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has hinted at potential reforms of the UK’s bank deposit insurance scheme, which could lift the limit on guaranteed savings.
£85,000 per bank is currently guaranteed, with Bailey suggesting at an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting in Washington that this could be raised in response to a host of bank failures in March.
Pennant International Group PLC (AIM:PEN) has acquired the rail services company Track Access Productions Limited (TAP) in a move the training solutions group said will “significantly” enhance its own rail offering, while also boosting recurring revenues.
The acquisition consideration, which is being funded from Pennant’s existing cash, comprises an enterprise value of £585,000, plus around £389,000 in respect of TAP's 'free cash'.
Destiny Pharma PLC (AIM:DEST, OTC:DTTYF) said it is focused on "delivering further deals" in the wake of its landmark tie-up with Sebela Pharmaceuticals, inked in February and worth up to US$570mln plus royalties.
Its new partner will take on the financial heavy lifting for NTCD-M3, Destiny’s c.difficile infection treatment.
Savannah Energy PLC (AIM:SAVE) chief executive Andrew Knott highlighted the firm’s “strength and potential” as it reported on the first quarter of its financial year.
The company, in a statement, reported a 26% increase in like-for-like organic total revenues, driven by a rapid progression of oil and renewable energy projects in Niger and a consistent performance in Cameroon.
Galliford Try Holdings PLC (LSE:GFRD) has announced that its Highways business has been appointed to build the new £140mln Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR) which will be delivered by Cumberland Council.
The construction group noted that the CSLR will create a new link between the A595 from the west and junction 42 of the M6, providing additional crossings of the River Caldew and River Petteril. This corridor will facilitate movement of goods and people between the proposed new community at St Cuthbert's Garden Village and West Cumbria.
Tharisa PLC (LSE:THS, JSE:THA, OTC:TIHRF) has reported an uptick in its net cash position as its vision of reaching optimal and sustainable production from its flagship mine remains intact.
Its net cash position as of 31 March 2023 was US$106.8mln, up from US$101.1mln on 31 December 2022, the company said in a statement.
Juul Labs has agreed to pay a US$462mln settlement to seven US states for its role in creating an underage e-cigarette "epidemic".
Under a deal struck with attorney generals in the states, the e-cigarette manufacturer will be required to ensure its products are secured behind retail store counters with cigarettes and that the age of online customers is verified.
Emmerson PLC (AIM:EML) said it has held constructive meetings with the Moroccan authorities over an environmental permit for its potash project at Khemisset.
Graham Clarke, chief executive, said that finer technical details of the water management proposals and the brines and dry tailings solutions are awaiting final approvals from the environmental and water agencies.
MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE:MXC, OTC:MGCLF, ASX:MXC) said its latest fundraising round has brought in £2.09mln before expenses.
In addition, it has secured £256,590 in a separate offer to Australian and UK high-net-worth investors.
Cybersecurity group Darktrace PLC (LSE:DARK) netted US$27mln (£21.6mln) in annual recurring revenue (ARR) on a constant currency basis in the third quarter, representing a year-on-year decline of 6.3% under a “difficult environment for new customer acquisitions”, per today’s trading update.
For the first nine months to 31 March 2023, net ARR added was $98.7mln, an increase of 3.2% above the comparable period in 2022.
Amaroq Minerals Ltd (TSX-V:AMRQ, AIM:AMRQ) told investors it has now completed the joint venture agreement with GCAM, with the release of funds from escrow.
The company now retains a 51% interest in the Gardaq vehicle which has been funded with £18mln by GCAM.
Bradda Head Lithium Limited (AIM:BHL, OTCQB:BHLIF, TSX-V:BHLI) said it has expanded its footprint in Arizona, adding claims in the Central San Domingo area.
The land acquisition comes after what the company described as promising results from its first drill programme at the project, which were reported in March.
UK gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in February, as falls in services and production were offset by growth in construction and retail.
Production and services slipped 0.2% and 0.1% respectively, while construction and retail were up 2.4% and 0.4%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed, leading GDP to come in at 0.0%, below an expected 0.1% rise.
PZ Cussons PLC (LSE:PZC) has reported 6.2% growth in its third-quarter revenue boosted by strong growth in sales of St Tropez US and the combined Imperial Leather and Cussons Creations portfolio.
In a trading update for its third quarter ended March 4, 2023, the personal healthcare products and consumer goods manufacturer said revenue rose to £166mln in the period and that it expects adjusted profit before tax to be at least in line with current market estimates.
ANGLE PLC (AIM:AGL, OTCQX:ANPCY) said it has inked a deal with Crescendo Biologics, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology firm, to provide the liquid biopsy specialist's cutting-edge Portrait Flex Assay for a prostate cancer study.
The process will be used in Crescendo's phase I clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of CB307, a first-in-class treatment for patients with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positive solid tumours.
Landore Resources Ltd (AIM:LND, OTC:LNDLF) said the presence of gold and other strategic and precious metals has been confirmed by further soil sampling carried out on the Junior Lake property in Ontario, Canada last year.
Drill targets have been identified, the company said, as the soil sampling confirmed and infilled the presence of “highly anomalous gold occurrences and trends” at the Felix prospect, while also extending the soil sampling further to the south of Felix and to the west into the Lamaune Gold area, with “highly anomalous strategic and precious metals occurrences and trends” generally running parallel to and to the south of the above gold trends.