Source: Sharecast
STOCKS TO WATCH
BP's chief executive has stepped down after just two years in the role, to be replaced by the head of Woodside Energy, Meg O'Neill. In an announcement late on Wednesday, BP confirmed that Murray Auchinloss would leave both the role and board on Thursday. O'Neill will be BP's third CEO in just five years.
Electronics retailer Currys maintained its annual guidance on Thursday as it reported a surge in half-year profit, with recent trading in line with expectations. Curry's said adjusted pre-tax profit for the six months to 1 November had more than doubled to £22m, up from £9m a year ago.
Flexible office operator Workspace appointed Tom Edwards‑Moss as chief financial officer designate on Thursday, replacing Dave Benson. Benson, who informed the board of his decision to leave in August, will remain in post until Edwards‑Moss takes up the position following completion of his notice period at Hibernia, with further updates on the timing of the transition to be provided at a later date.
Land developer Harworth has announced 267,000 square feet of industrial and logistics lettings over the second half, cutting its vacancy levels to just 1.0%, down from 4.9% at the end of June. The five lettings, all signed on vacant space since 1 July, will result in an additional £2.5m in annualised rental income, some 1.4% ahead of estimated rental values.
NEWSPAPER ROUND-UP
Ministers and senior MPs have warned that the UK's agreements with Donald Trump are "built on sand" after the Guardian established that the deal to avoid drug tariffs has no underlying text beyond limited headline terms. The "milestone" US-UK deal announced this month on pharmaceuticals, which will mean the NHS pays more for medicines in exchange for a promise of zero tariffs on the industry, still lacks a legal footing beyond top lines contained in two government press releases. - Guardian
Sir Paul McCartney's favourite bass guitar maker has fallen into bankruptcy as manufacturers struggle with rising costs. German company Höfner has filed for bankruptcy protection in Bavaria, according to court records. The company is best known for making the violin-shaped bass guitar that became Sir Paul's signature instrument. – Telegraph
Rob Gardner is an unlikely figure to save our seas and to sort out Britain's rivers. The City veteran cut his teeth at investment banks and still spends much of his time in the Square Mile, rather than out on the estuaries. But Gardner, the chief executive and co-founder of Rebalance Earth, has founded a company built around investing in nature. – Telegraph
Two of the world's largest auction houses are anticipating rising sales this year in early signs of a recovery after a multi-year downturn in the global art market. Sotheby's, which has its headquarters in New York, projected a 17% increase in sales to $7bn for 2025, with auction sales increasing by more than a quarter year-on-year to $5.7bn and its best ever year for luxury sales. – The Times
US CLOSE
Major indices closed lower on Wednesday as investors continued to weigh the latest non-farm payrolls reports ahead of Thursday's consumer price index.
At the close, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.47% at 47,885.97, while the S&P 500 shed 1.16% to 6,721.43 and the Nasdaq Composite saw out the session 1.81% weaker at 23,693.32.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com