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Target Healthcare REIT PLC (LSE:THRL) reported that every resolution put forward at its Annual General Meeting on 4 December 2025 received shareholder approval. The across-the-board support underscores investor confidence in the trust’s strategic direction and may further strengthen its positioning within the UK healthcare real estate market, reinforcing its focus on long-term value creation.

The REIT continues to post solid financial and valuation metrics, including a steady dividend yield and a favourable P/E ratio. Technical indicators currently point to constructive momentum, though some overbought signals suggest the need for caution. Coupled with recent corporate developments, sentiment remains supportive as the company advances its growth agenda.

More about Target Healthcare REIT

Target Healthcare REIT PLC specialises in healthcare-focused real estate, investing primarily in modern, purpose-built care homes throughout the UK. The trust is dedicated to supplying high-quality facilities that meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

James Halstead plc (LSE:JHD) told shareholders at its 110th Annual General Meeting that it will sign off on a record final dividend of 6.05p per ordinary share — the 49th consecutive annual increase. While the group continues to post strong revenue in its core UK and North American markets, it is contending with softer conditions in Central Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Even so, management remains confident in its long-term growth prospects, supported by ongoing innovation in both products and processes.

The company’s outlook is anchored by solid profitability and a notably strong balance sheet. These fundamentals underpin its financial stability. On the other hand, technical indicators point to weak short-term momentum, and although the valuation appears reasonable, an unusual dividend yield dynamic warrants monitoring. Limited recent earnings-call commentary and a lack of major corporate developments leave fewer incremental signals for investors.

More about James Halstead

James Halstead plc is a UK-based producer and global distributor of commercial flooring solutions, serving customers across the UK, North America, Central Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Volta Finance Limited (LSE:VTA) has confirmed that every resolution presented at its 2025 Annual General Meeting—among them a special resolution—secured shareholder approval. The comprehensive endorsement signals ongoing investor confidence in the company’s governance framework and long-term strategy, supporting its positioning and operational resilience.

More about Volta Finance

Volta Finance Limited, incorporated in Guernsey and traded on both Euronext Amsterdam and the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market, focuses on capital preservation and delivering reliable income returns. The company invests largely in CLOs and related structured credit instruments. Its portfolio is overseen by AXA Investment Managers Paris, a specialist in the structured credit arena.

Gemfields Group Limited (LSE:GEM) has posted strong results from its latest sale of commercial-grade rough emeralds, achieving USD 25.4 million in revenue with 45 of the 46 lots successfully placed. The performance caps off a difficult year for Kagem and brings Gemfields’ total Kagem auction revenues for 2025 to USD 79 million. Consistently firm pricing across all categories points to improving market conditions and renewed confidence after prior industry pressures. The proceeds of this auction will be fully repatriated to Kagem in Zambia with all royalties due to the Government of the Republic of Zambia being paid on the full sales prices achieved at the auction.

More about Gemfields Group

Gemfields Group Limited is a major producer of coloured gemstones, listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and London’s AIM market. The company owns 75% of Kagem Mining in Zambia, one of the world’s leading emerald operations, and also operates Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique, home to extensive ruby resources. Gemfields is known for its proprietary grading methods and auction system, which have reshaped trading standards in the coloured gemstone sector. The group emphasizes transparency and responsible practices, investing in local communities and conservation programmes around its mining sites.

XP Power (LSE:XPP) has confirmed that Charlotta Ginman will join its board as a Non-Executive Director and as Senior Independent Director–designate beginning January 2026. With a career spanning multiple industries and significant exposure to global markets, Ginman is set to take over from Polly Williams in February 2026. Her addition is expected to strengthen the board through her international business insight and deep familiarity with the investment community.

The company’s broader outlook continues to be shaped by a mix of financial results and market signals. While solid cash generation and supportive technical trends offer some stability, these positives are counterbalanced by falling revenue, persistent net losses, and ongoing valuation pressures.

More about XP Power

XP Power, headquartered in Singapore, develops and produces power controllers used across a wide range of electrical equipment. The business serves leading customers in Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, Industrial Technology, and Healthcare markets. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE SmallCap Index.

U.S. stock index futures hovered near the flat line early Thursday, indicating Wall Street may begin the session without a clear trend following two days of mostly upward momentum.

After the sharp swings that characterized early-week trading, investors appear to be pausing to reevaluate short-term market conditions.

Equities slid on Monday after last week’s strong rally, but managed to claw back losses on Tuesday and Wednesday despite uneven trading. Expectations of another interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve at next week’s policy meeting helped the major benchmarks more than recover Monday’s decline.

Futures saw little movement even after a Labor Department report showed first-time unemployment claims unexpectedly fell to their lowest level in three years during the week ending November 29. Initial claims dropped to 191,000 — down 27,000 from the prior week’s revised figure of 218,000 — defying economists’ predictions for an increase to 220,000. The reading marked the lowest point since late September 2022.

On Wednesday, stocks drifted early in the session but later pushed higher. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 posted modest gains, while the Dow outperformed with a stronger rise.

By the close, all major indexes had finished in positive territory: the Dow climbed 408.44 points, or 0.9 percent, to 47,882.90; the Nasdaq added 40.42 points, or 0.2 percent, to 23,454.09; and the S&P 500 advanced 20.35 points, or 0.3 percent, to 6,849.72.

The Dow’s rally was supported by a 4.7 percent jump in UnitedHealth (NYSE:UNH), alongside strong advances from Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD), and Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN). Meanwhile, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) fell 2.5 percent after The Information reported the company had scaled back growth expectations for its AI-related software sales.

Market sentiment improved earlier in the day as ADP data revealed an unexpected contraction in private-sector payrolls for November. Employment in the private sector declined by 32,000 positions, reversing an upwardly revised increase of 47,000 in October. Economists had expected a modest gain of around 10,000 jobs.

The report reinforced hopes for another rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week, with CME Group’s FedWatch Tool showing an 89.0 percent probability of a quarter-point reduction.

“This morning’s ADP data confirm what a lot of the doves are saying — it’s more important to focus on a weakening labor market than to worry about inflation in the 2–3% range (but still above the 2.0% target),” said Chris Zaccarelli, Chief Investment Officer at Northlight Asset Management. He continued, “Although there may be some dissents at next week’s Fed meeting, it is a sure thing that a 25-bps rate cut will be announced, but going forward is where things get more confusing.”

A separate report from the Institute for Supply Management also delivered an upside surprise, showing an increase in service-sector activity. The services PMI rose to 52.6 in November from 52.4 in October, defying expectations for a slight dip to 52.1 and marking its highest level since February.

Energy-service stocks surged as crude oil prices rebounded, lifting the Philadelphia Oil Service Index by 3.7% to a ten-month high. Airline shares also outperformed, with the NYSE Arca Airline Index jumping 2.7% to its strongest close in almost three months. Gains were also notable in steel, financial, and housing stocks, while computer-hardware names lagged.

European equity markets advanced on Thursday, buoyed by softer U.S. private payroll figures that strengthened expectations the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates at its meeting next week.

Investors also monitored diplomatic efforts around the Ukraine conflict. Although discussions in Moscow failed to deliver a breakthrough, attention shifted to follow-up talks scheduled in Miami today, where U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Ukraine’s national security chief Rustem Umerov, according to the White House.

President Trump characterized the earlier conversations — which included his son-in-law Jared Kushner — as “reasonably good,” while cautioning that it remains premature to judge the outcome because “it does take two to tango.”

Across major indices, Germany’s DAX gained about 1.0 percent, France’s CAC 40 rose 0.5 percent and the U.K.’s FTSE 100 edged up 0.2 percent.

In corporate news, Future Plc (LSE:FUTR) rallied sharply in London. After a challenging 2025 marked by softer advertising revenue and a pullback in price-comparison traffic, the media company projected “modest organic revenue growth” for the fiscal year ending September 2026.

Nokia (EU:NOKIA) also traded higher after the Finnish telecom provider revealed a new partnership with Bharti Airtel, aimed at giving developers access to Airtel’s network through Nokia’s Network as Code platform.

Construction giant Skanska (BIT:1SKAB) moved upward as well, supported by news that the Swedish firm secured another U.S. contract with a longstanding client to build a new data-center facility.

By contrast, Vodafone (LSE:VOD) slipped after its African arm agreed to acquire a controlling interest in Kenyan operator Safaricom.

The U.S. dollar held its ground on Thursday but continued to trade near recent lows, with soft economic readings reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates next week.

At 04:50 ET (09:50 GMT), the Dollar Index — a gauge of the greenback against six major currencies — was nearly flat at 98.805, hovering around a five-week low and down almost 9% year-to-date.

All eyes on next week’s Fed meeting

A run of weak U.S. indicators has strengthened the case for monetary easing, adding pressure on the dollar.

“After yesterday’s 32k drop in ADP payrolls, a Fed cut next week looks even closer to a certainty,” analysts at ING wrote. “The OIS curve is pricing in 25bp, meaning the Fed would face a potentially sharp adverse reaction in risk assets should it decide to hold.”

The bank also noted that markets are pricing in only another 15 basis points of cuts by March, aligning expectations with a “hawkish cut” this month.

“Our view remains that data will justify two more cuts early next year, which underpins our view that the dollar won’t make a comeback even in the seasonally favorable first quarter.”

Sentiment toward the dollar was further affected by remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he plans to announce his choice to replace Jerome Powell early next year, stretching out a selection process he previously claimed was already settled.

A move to appoint Kevin Hassett, Trump’s economic adviser, could weigh on the currency. The Financial Times reported that bond investors have warned the U.S. Treasury that Hassett might push for more aggressive rate cuts to match Trump’s preferences.

Euro strengthens, heading for its best year since 2017

The euro continued its ascent, with EUR/USD up 0.1% at 1.1677 after touching its highest level in nearly seven weeks. The pair is on track for annual gains of close to 13%.

“We continue to have 1.170 as our EUR/USD target for next week’s Fed meeting and 1.180 as our year-end target,” ING said. “Seasonality should help, but it’s also worth noting that our short-term fair value model continues to point to around 1.1% undervaluation in the pair.”

The European Central Bank meets in two weeks and is widely expected to keep policy unchanged after halting rate cuts in June.

Sterling slipped, with GBP/USD down 0.1% to 1.3340 after fresh data showed U.K. construction activity contracting at its fastest pace since May 2020. S&P Global’s construction PMI dropped to 39.4 from 44.1, extending its longest downturn since the global financial crisis.

Asian currencies diverge as economic signals deepen

Across Asia, the yen firmed as USD/JPY slipped 0.2% to 154.96, reflecting investor focus on U.S. data that support the case for Fed easing.

USD/CNY was 0.1% higher at 7.0691, while AUD/USD added 0.3% to 0.6615, buoyed by continued resilience in the Australian economy.

Oil prices crept higher on Thursday, buoyed by renewed Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and growing doubts about progress in peace negotiations. While supply risks underpinned the market, broader weak fundamentals kept the upside restrained.

By 0659 GMT, Brent crude gained 41 cents, or 0.65%, to trade at $63.08 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate advanced 45 cents, or 0.76%, to $59.40.

Ukraine targets Druzhba pipeline again

A Ukrainian military intelligence source said on Wednesday that Ukraine struck the Druzhba pipeline in Russia’s Tambov region — the fifth known attack on the key conduit that transports Russian crude to Hungary and Slovakia. Despite the strike, the pipeline operator and Hungary’s oil and gas group said flows continued uninterrupted.

Analysts at Kpler noted in a research report that “Ukraine’s drone campaign against Russian refining infrastructure has shifted into a more sustained and strategically coordinated phase,” with strikes increasingly aimed at keeping refineries from stabilizing.

The firm added: “This has pushed Russian refining throughput down to around 5 million barrels per day between September and November, a 335,000 bpd year-on-year decline, with gasoline hit hardest and gasoil output also materially weaker.”

Peace negotiations show no progress

Oil also found support from signs that diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Representatives for U.S. President Donald Trump left the latest meeting with Kremlin officials without any forward movement toward ending the conflict, and Trump said it was unclear what the next steps might be.

Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, commented that “Crude will likely remain stuck in a narrow range while the Ukraine peace efforts grind on.”

Hopes for a breakthrough had previously pressured oil lower, as traders anticipated any end to the war could bring sanctions relief and prompt a return of Russian barrels to an already oversupplied global market.

Fitch trims oil price forecasts

Adding to the cautious mood, Fitch Ratings on Thursday cut its oil price assumptions for 2025–2027, citing ongoing oversupply and production growth expected to outpace consumption.

Gold prices slipped during Thursday’s Asian session, with some investors taking profits as markets prepared for next week’s closely watched Federal Reserve decision. Despite the modest decline, expectations remain high that the central bank will cut interest rates.

By 02:28 ET (07:28 GMT), spot gold was down 0.3% at $4,191.55 per ounce, while February U.S. gold futures also dipped 0.3% to $4,219.46.

Soft U.S. data bolster rate-cut expectations

The retreat in gold came even as traders maintained strong conviction that the Fed will deliver a 25-basis-point cut at its December 9–10 meeting, with CME FedWatch assigning the move a probability close to 90%.

Fresh U.S. data reinforced that view. The ADP report showed private-sector employment dropping by 32,000 in November, a sharp swing from October’s revised gain of 47,000 and well below expectations for continued job growth.

The ISM services index registered moderate expansion, but underlying components signaled that momentum in the sector may be fading.

Market participants are now turning their attention to Friday’s release of the delayed September Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — the Fed’s preferred inflation measure — which could provide more definitive guidance on the potential pace and magnitude of easing.

Adding to the speculation, several media outlets reported that the Trump administration abruptly cancelled meetings with candidates to replace Jerome Powell as Fed chair, heightening expectations that Kevin Hassett may emerge as the frontrunner. A leadership shift viewed as more dovish would typically enhance the appeal of gold as a defensive asset.

Metals complex trades lower

The softness extended across the broader metals market as traders trimmed exposure ahead of next week’s U.S. policy call.

Silver futures eased 1% to $58.00 an ounce, while platinum futures declined 1.3% to $1,661.60.

On the industrial metals side, benchmark copper on the London Metal Exchange edged down 0.2% to $11,455.260 per ton. U.S. copper futures were steady at $5.39 a pound.