Latest News
US close: Markets eke out gains amid quieter trading
US stocks eked out gains during a relatively quiet trading session on Monday, with telecommunications and healthcare stocks leading the risers.
Commodities: Oil futures recoup part of previous session´s losses
Commodity markets were little changed at the start of the holiday-shortened trading week on Monday, although the results of a survey published on 18 March showing an up-tick in US oil sector activity continued to be a 'talking point' in markets.
Commodities: Oil futures slip after latest US rig count data
Crude oil futures slipped at the end of the week as a key gauge of activity in the US oil sector ticked up on Monday, for the first time in three months, although it was still languishing far below the levels reached in the halcyon days of late 2014.
Apple launches small-screen iPhone SE, cheaper Apple Watch and smaller iPad Pro
In its latest product launch event, Apple slightly underwhelmed with the launch of a smaller-screen new 'iPhone SE', a cheaper price for the Apple Watch wearable device and a new smaller 'iPad Pro' tablet.
Monday broker round-up
Gulf Keystone: Canaccord downgrades to sell with a target price of 14p.
Sainsbury's yet to win over analysts as path cleared for Home Retail offer
Sainsbury's has not entirely won over analysts despite being allowed an unchallenged path to the takeover of Argos owner Home Retail on Friday, with several remaining neutral and Goldman Sachs maintaining a 'sell' rating.
Director dealing: Somero CEO sells half stake for tax bill
Somero Enterprises chief executive Jack Cooney and his wife sold off over £2m of the company's shares, reportedly in order to satisfy a US tax bill.
Further rate rises in US justified, possibly in April, Fed´s Lacker says
Additional rate hikes from the US Federal Reserve should be expected in 2016, possibly as soon as April, a top US central bank official said.
Europe close: Stocks drift lower amid mixed trading on Wall Street
At the beginning of a holiday-shortened week, European stocks wavered on Monday after a mixed start to trading on Wall Street.
London close: Stocks decline as weak UK manufacturing activity persists
The FTSE 100 closed in the red on Monday after a survey showed continued weakness in UK manufacturing sector activity.
FTSE 100 movers: Antofagasta descends, Shire rebounds
In a largely quiet day, the FTSE 100 was dragged lower after losing momentum towards the end of the day, while the London Stock Exchange launched the first of its new daily intra-day auctions.
London Stock Exchange launches first daily intra-day auction
At noon on Monday, the London Stock Exchange completed its first daily intra-day auction, a two-minute pause in trading of the largest shares on the exchange to allow investors to enter, modify and delete orders without automated trading.
Small caps news round-up
Epistem Holdings was gearing up for the next stage of its development programme with the US Department of Defense on Monday, having been awarded funding to proceed. The AIM-traded company received $2. 4m (£1. 7m) for the first phase of the $7. 8m programme in August last year, to develop and manufacture its Genedrive product into a biohazard identification system.
SalvaRx the latest cancer drug firm seeking AIM admission
London’s AIM could soon see another biotechnology company among its constituents, with the announcement on Monday that SalvaRx was seeking admission to trading following the reverse takeover of 3Legs Resources.
US DoD awards another £2m for Epistem biohazard project
Epistem Holdings was gearing up for the next stage of its development programme with the US Department of Defense on Monday, having been awarded funding to proceed.
Telecom Italia chief steps down amid change of strategy at Vivendi
Telecom Italia´s chief tendered his resignation after a tense seven months characterised by a power struggle with French corporate raider Vincent Bollore over the company´s strategy.
Smart Metering posts impressive growth in revenue, profits
Revenue and profits rose significantly at Smart Metering Systems in 2015, it reported on Monday, as the firm also announced three acquisitions.
Tuesday preview: UK inflation expected to pick up in February
UK inflation will be in focus on Tuesday amid concerns about the impact of weak prices on the economy.
US open: Stocks slide as oil prices fall
US stocks were in the red on Monday as oil prices fell and a report on existing home sales came in worse than expected.
Eurozone consumer confidence slips in March
Consumer confidence decreased more than expected among eurozone countries in March compared to February.