Tradersnews

Sector movers: Food producers put on weight, oil engineers fall despite crude rebound

Food producers were the top rising sector on Thursday thanks entirely to Associated British Foods, a major sugar producer, bread baker, food and ingredients producer under brands such as Twinings Ovaltine and Australia's George Weston Foods.

Wine, cheese and financial services: EU and Japan strike free trade deal

The European Union and Japan have struck a trade deal to open up the South East Asian country to European exports with an estimated value of around €20bn.

Europe midday: Soft French debt auction hits stocks

A wave of selling hit European stocks following what some market commentary labelled as a “soft” auction for 30-year French government debt which sent yields flying.

London midday: Rising pound weighs on stocks but banks limit losses

London's stock indices were stuttering lower by midday on Thursday as the pound rose amid hawkish central bank talk in Europe and the US, though this was good news for banks and life insurers.

Dechra Pharmaceuticals claws higher sales as acquisitions bed in

Veterinary specialist Dechra Pharmaceuticals reported trading in line with forecasts for the full year to end June.

London open: AB Foods gains balanced by Reckitt ransomware hit

London's stock indices hovered tentatively in early trading on Thursday amid a quiet day for macroeconomic events following the release of surprisingly mixed minutes from the US Federal Reserve overnight.

Great Portland Estates pleased with lettings progress

Great Portland Estates saw 20 new lettings in in the quarter to 30 June, it reported in a trading update on Thursday, generating annual rent of £6m – its share being £5.2m – which was 2.3% ahead of its March estimated recovery value.

London open: Stocks flat ahead of services data

London stocks were steady in early trade on Wednesday as investors eyed the release of some key services data.

IAG traffic gains ahead of BA strike

British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidated Airlines Group said airline traffic, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres, rose 3.9% in June compared to the same month last year.

UK services growth weakens, business optimism evaporates

Growth in the UK's services sector weakened to its lowest in four months in June, according to a Markit survey published on Wednesday that also found business optimism dropped to its second-lowest in over five and half years.