Broker tips: Metro Bank, Pets At Home, Hiscox
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets hiked their target price on retail and commercial bank Metro Bank from 170p to 195p on Thursday, noting that the lender was now further along in executing its turnaround strategy and should benefit from a higher‑for‑longer interest‑rate environment.
FTSE 250 movers: PPHE surges on takeover proposal; Hilton Foods among ex-divs
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 7% at 23,227. 86 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
US open: Stocks slip amid rising crude prices, heavy macro slate
Major indices were in the red early on Thursday as a rebound in oil prices and renewed geopolitical tensions weighed on sentiment as investors thumbed over a key inflation print.
RBC Capital nudges up Metro Bank target price
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets hiked their target price on retail and commercial bank Metro Bank from 170p to 195p on Thursday, noting that the lender was now further along in executing its turnaround strategy and should benefit from a higher‑for‑longer interest‑rate environment.
Casino group Caesars agrees to $5.7bn takeover by Tilman Fertitta
Shares in Caesars Entertainment rose on Thursday after the hotels and casinos operator agreed to be acquired by Tilman Fertitta’s Fertitta Entertainment in a $17. 6bn cash-and-debt deal that will take the company private.
Director dealings: CVS Group's Scott Morrison snaps up shares
CVS Group revealed on Thursday that group general counsel Scott Morrison had acquired 987 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed veterinary services business.
FTSE 100 movers: Defence firms rally, BT slumps on FT report
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 9% at 10,414. 91 in afternoon trade on Thursday.
Dollar Tree shares jump as discount retailer tops Q1 estimates, ups FY guidance
Dollar Tree shares surged by over a tenth on Thursday after the American discount retailer posted stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings, raised its full-year profit outlook and pointed to resilient demand from cost-conscious shoppers.
US durable goods orders surge 7.9pc in April, smashing forecasts
US durable goods orders surged in April, according to the Census Bureau, rising 7. 9% to $346bn for the strongest monthly increase since May 2025.
US initial jobless claims come in ahead of expectations at 215,000
Americans lined up for unemployment benefits at an accelerated clip in the week ended 23 May, according to the Labor Department, rising by 5,000 to 215,000 - above expectations for a softer 1,000 increase.
US first-quarter GDP revised down to just 1.6%
The US economy grew less than originally estimated in the first quarter of 2026, according to amended figures out on Thursday from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, with both investment and consumer spending figures revised lower.
Trials show GSK drug cures hepatitis B in nearly 20% of patients
GSK said on Thursday that late-stage trial results for its experimental drug for chronic hepatitis B, bepirovirsen, showed that it helped nearly one in five patients to achieve a functional cure.
US inflation steady in April as PCE matches forecasts
US inflation held broadly in line with expectations in April, with the Federal Reserve's preferred gauge showing little change in underlying price pressures, even as household spending continued to rise.
Kohl's posts best comparable sales performance in over four years
Kohl’s shares rose on Thursday after the department store chain posted a smaller-than-expected first-quarter loss and reaffirmed its full-year guidance, as early signs of progress emerged under chief executive Michael Bender’s turnaround plan.
Best Buy shares jump on stronger-than-expected Q1
Best Buy shares rose on Thursday after the US electronics retailer reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results and forecast better-than-anticipated comparable sales for the current quarter, supported by demand for gaming, computing, mobile phones and services.
Great Western Mining enters option deal over Eastside-Tango project
Great Western Mining said on Thursday that it had entered into an option agreement with KGHM Polska Miedz over the Eastside-Tango copper porphyry project in Nevada, giving the global copper producer the right to earn up to a 100% interest in the asset.
More than 1m young people not in work or education - ONS
The number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neets) has risen to more than 1 million, according to figures released on Thursday by the Office for National Statistics.
Touchstone brings two Trinidad wells into production
Touchstone Exploration said on Thursday that two development wells on its WD-8 block in Trinidad and Tobago had been brought into production, while work continued on boosting gas output capacity at Cascadura.
Europe midday: Stocks fall, oil jumps on US-Iran tensions
European stock markets fell on Thursday as a renewed jump in oil prices and heightened tensions between the Washington and Tehran eroded risk appetite, while investors awaited a key inflation reading in the US.
Ultimate Products Q3 revenue flat, group sales set to beat expectations
Ultimate Products said on Thursday that third-quarter revenue was flat year-on-year as growth in its own brands offset subdued consumer demand and a planned reduction in non-core third-party clearance sales.