1. Lloyds sees third-quarter profits tumble as bad debt provisions treble
Net income was up strongly but a jump in bad debt charges led to profits tumbling - analysts said the UK lending leader has the capacity to dole out more cash even so
2. Shell's 'obscene' profits lead to calls for higher windfall tax
The oil supermajor posted its second highest-ever quarterly profits and announced a US$4bn share buyback, a US$0.25 interim dividend and plans for a bigger dividend in the fourth quarter - and said it has escaped paying any windfall taxes so far this year.
3. Unilever sales performance was resilient in face of record price increases
The Persil, Ben & Jerry's and Hellman's owner raised its full-year sales forecast after it what it said was “strong” growth in a challenging economic climate, with organic sales growth of 10.6% that beat the City analyst consensus of 8.6%.
4. FTSE 100 closes higher
Britain's blue-chip benchmark finished Thursday up by around 17 points, or 0.25% at 7,073 as Shell and BP topped the leader board.
5. Premier pubs pour on
With energy bills climbing at an unprecedented rate, fears of pubs being eviscerated echo around the country.