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US close: Markets mixed as investors await Fed
Markets in the US closed mixed on Monday, though they appeared to brush off a drop in oil prices as investors looked towards the US Federal Reserve meeting later in the week.
Bonds: Morgan Stanley now sees one Fed rate hike in 2016, down from three
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed longer-term sovereign bond yields:.
Commodities: Oil retreats alongside losses for iron ore, agricultural futures well bid
Oil futures led the way lower on Monday after Iran said over the weekend it would not support an agreement by several of the world’s top producers to freeze their oil output until his country’s production had first recovered to 4m barrels a day.
Putin orders start of withdrawal of bulk of Russian troops from Syria
Russian president Vladimir Putin on Monday ordered the withdrawal of the bulk of the country's armed forces who were present in Syria.
Applegreen's shares fuelled by jump in full year earnings
Irish fuel forecourt retailer Applegreen reported a jump in full year earnings as revenue was boosted by new site openings.
Director dealing: Paddy Power co-founder cashes in some shares
Directors in the newly merged Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) continue to take profits after the sealing of the deal.
Europe close: Stocks end session higher ahead of central bank meetings
European stocks were higher for the most part on Monday, with miners lending support as investors looked ahead to a week packed full of central bank meetings.
FX round-up: Brazilian real keeps gaining altitude, Egypt devalues pound
‘Risk-off’ was the name of the game at the start of the week, with some market commentary referencing weaker than expected data on Chinese industrial production and retail sales over the weekend as the immediate trigger behind the weakness, although Brazil's real was one notable exception.
Tuesday preview: Antofagasta's falling profits in focus
Antofagasta's 2015 earnings are likely to have taken a hit from lower commodity prices, according to analysts’ estimates ahead of the full year result on Tuesday.
London close: FTSE closes higher as mining stocks rise
The FTSE closed in positive territory on Monday, boosted by a rally in mining stocks despite weak Chinese data and a decline in oil prices.
Financial advice market review calls for new pensions and guidance shake-up
The long-awaited Financial Advice Market Review highlighted a "clear need for intervention" in the UK's financial advice industry as it was released on Monday.
Small caps round-up
Goals Soccer Centres swung to a loss in 2015 as sales fell and the company booked an impairment charge. In the year to the end of December, the five-a-side football venue operator posted a pre-tax loss of £6. 2m compared to a £6. 8m profit in 2014 as it booked a non-cash exceptional impairment charge of £14. 5m made up of goodwill, asset impairment and software development. Group sales fell 4. 9% to £33m, while like-for-like sales slid 6. 3% and the company said it now faces increased competition from new grant-aided full size 3G pitches.
Sector movers: Financials and miners lead gradual gain
The FTSE 100 effected a tentative rise on Monday, with financials and miners leading the index higher.
Kellan Group swings to full year profit
Recruitment company Kellan Group swung to a full year profit as revenues rose on the back of growth in temporary placements.
OPEC trims forecasts for 2016 global demand growth for its oil
Demand for crude oil supplied by the Organisation for Petroleum Exporting Countries was now expected to increase slightly less in 2016, the cartel said in its Monthly Oil Market Report for March.
Europe unveils exceptional measures to help farming crisis
An expanded package of exceptional measures to support Europe's farmers was unveiled on Monday, including allowing milk producers to limit production to force prices up.
Stagecoach slumps on HSBC downgrade
Transport operator Stagecoach was under pressure after HSBC downgraded the stock to ‘reduce’ from ‘hold’ and cut the price target to 240p from 295p, noting the third quarter trading update showed up potential weakness in the East Coast franchise.
Palace Capital buys central Halifax property
Palace Capital extended its investment reach into the heart of Halifax on Monday, announcing it had acquired the entire issued share capital of Gregory Projects (Halifax).
Old Mutual hires investment banker to oversee split
Old Mutual, which confirmed last week that it will split its business into four units, has appointed Rob Leith as director of managed separation.
Vietnam Enterprise Investments to list in London
Irish-listed Vietnam Enterprise Investments announced on Monday it was seeking to list on the London Stock Exchange.