Market Pulse - Currencies
FX round-up: Pound softens as Tory lead narrows in polls
Sterling weakened on the back of a key voter poll showing that the Tories' lead had narrowed in just the past fortnight.
US November CPI edges past forecasts on energy price gains
Higher energy prices last month saw the cost of living in the US accelerate last month to a one-year high.
US reportedly set to delay new Chinese trade tariffs
Negotiators from the US and China are working to postpone the introduction of new tariffs on Chinese exports in mid-December.
Trump pressures Japan to choose US contractor over BAE Systems
Donald Trump is piling the pressure on Tokyo to choose a US defence contractor to develop replacements for its F-2 multi-role combat aircraft instead of Britain's BAE Systems.
US third quarter labour cost growth revised lower
The productivity of American workers dipped during the third quarter, but unit labour costs rose by less than previously thought, revised data showed.
Nissan faces £17m fine for misreporting Carlos Ghosn's pension
Nissan faces a fine of more than £17. 0m related to the carmaker's under-reporting of former chairman Carlos Ghosn's pension.
UK trade deficit widens in October as firms stockpile goods
Britain's deficit in trade with the rest of the world widened in October, as UK companies stockpiled goods ahead of the missed Brexit deadline, while overseas firms showed continued wariness towards the country's exports.
Canaccord downgrades Berkeley Group after recent run higher
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity downgraded their recommendation for shares of Berkeley Group Holdings on the back of the recent run-up in the share price "against a less attractive risk:reward ratio".
Europe close: Investors play it safe as stocks near record highs
Investors were loathe to keep pushing stocks on the Continent higher, despite the boost to investor sentiment from positive headlines on US-China trade and 'merger talk' in the luxury goods sector.
OPEC+ ministers agree to deeper cuts, but only until March
Energy ministers from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its key allies have agreed on deeper oil output cuts to stem a near-term glut of oil.
Blackstone pondering £4bn offer for IQSA
Property investment giant Blackstone is contemplating a £4. 0bn takeover for IQ Student Accommodation (IQSA), according to a Sky News report on Thursday.
Huawei tries to overturn ban on purchases with US government funds
Huawei is looking to overturn a ruling by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) barring the use of funding from the American government from being used to buy equipment from telecommunications giant.
US bill against Muslim detainment camps in China sparks anger
Official Chinese media outlets lashed out against the United States and called for harsh reprisals in editorials on Thursday after the US House of Representatives passed legislation calling for a stronger response to Beijing’s mistreatment of its Uighur Muslim minority.
Trade talks continue as China reiterates need for tariff cuts
China has reiterated a call for existing tariffs to be lowered as crucial talks between Beijing and Washington look to continue.
US foreign trade deficit for October posts outsized drop
America's shortfall on trade with the rest of the world dropped sharply in October amid a down-draft in import demand.
Eurozone economy nudges ahead in third quarter
The Eurozone economy showed marginal growth in the third quarter, underpinned by spending from both consumers and governments.
US President says French criticism of NATO is 'very dangerous'
The US President responded on Tuesday to his French peer, Emmanuel Macron's, recent criticism of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as "brain dead" and defended Washington's threat to levy tariffs on some French exports in retaliation for what the White House said were 'discriminatory' taxes against US technology companies.
US factory sector extends recovery in November, IHS Markit says
America's manufacturing continued to pull out of its recent soft patch, according to the results of one of the most closely-followed surveys for the sector.
Trade talks between China and the US 'stalled' - reports
Hopes that the US and China are close to striking a crucial phase one trade deal have weakened, according to reports, after the White House appeared to back protestors in Hong Kong.