Market Pulse - Europe
JP Morgan recommends buying dips in stocks, remains overweight emerging markets vs. developed ones
Equity strategists at JP Morgan reiterated their call that investors should 'buy' into the dips in global stocks, pointing to oversold readings on stocks heightened uncertainty and the 'market internals' to back up their case.
Omicron subvariant is 1.5 times more transmissible than original
A new Omicron subvariant known is more transmissible than its forebear which first appeared in South Africa, scientists said at the weekend, although some studies have shown that vaccines are more effective against it.
Europe close: Stocks retreat after weak German GDP print, Ukraine tensions
European shares finished lower on Friday following news that Germany's economy contracted by more than expected in the fourth quarter of 2021 and amid continued geopolitical tensions over Ukraine.
UK and EU planning sanctions on new Russian natural gas projects
Britain and the EU are said to be readying sanctions that on new gas projects in Russia that could be wielded should Russia attack Ukraine again.
IG Group posts record revenues after transition to global outfit with 'local' focus
IG Group posted strong top-line growth boosted by a jump in the numbers of active and new clients.
Deutsche Bank posts surprise Q4 profit
Deutsche Bank posted a surprise fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, driven by improved investment banking revenues.
Russian forces in Belarus will not remain in country after February drills
The Russian rouble strengthened slightly, recouping some of the prior session's losses, after Belarus indicated that Russian troops in the country would not remain in the country following military drills planned for February.
Thursday preview: US Q4 GDP, CBI Distributive Trades survey
The market spotlight on Thursday will be on a preliminary reading for US gross domestic product growth over the last three months of 2021.
Europe close: Stocks extend gains, travel issues lead
European shares extended their gains, as the rally from Monday's sell-off continued on Wednesday, as investors waited on news from the US Federal Reserve's two-day meeting later in the day.
J.P. Morgan upbeat on BT Group following retail price hike
Analysts at JP Morgan sounded an "optimistic" note on BT Group's recent decision to raise its retail prices by 9%, telling clients that "success" held the potential to support meaningful consensus upgrades.
Former ambassador to Nato sees diplomatic path out of Ukraine crisis
There was a way out of the current crisis in Ukraine, a former US ambassador to Nato during the Clinton administration argued recently.
Europe midday: Stocks only marginally higher, despite elevated volatility
European shares are putting in a slight bounce on the back of a big bounce on Wall Street overnight from the session lows despite the still extremely heightened tensions over Ukraine.
Unilever to lay off 1,500 managers and reorganise two units
The entry of activist investor Nelson Peltz's hedge fund into Unilever's shareholder register has goaded the company into its largest job cuts under its current boss and the reorganisation of several units.
Unilever said to be planning layoffs after activist investor takes stake
Unilever is reportedly planning to slash several thousand management positions.
Europe close: Stocks sell off amid geopolitical tensions, Fed rate hike fears
European shares were walloped at the start of the week amid rising tensions on the border between Russia and Ukraine, even as investors were aleady fretting about the pace of potential interest rate hikes in the US.
Friday preview: UK public sector borrowing, Microsoft in the spotlight
The market spotlight on Tuesday will be on the UK government's finances at the end of 2021 and an update from US technology giant Microsoft.
Activity in US services sector comes to near standstill in January, survey shows
The arrival of the Omicron variant in the US brought activity in the country's services sector to a near standstill, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Morgan Stanley reiterates 'buy' for FTSE 100, highlights 'defensive' qualities
Analysts at Morgan Stanley sounded a 'bullish' note on the outlook for the FTSE 100, highlighting its greater 'defensive' properties relative to rivals, higher dividend yields versus global peers, exposure to energy and record low expectations for growth in the profits of its constituent companies.
Week ahead: FOMC meeting, Italian presidential election in focus
The market spotlight over the coming week will be squarely on the US Federal Reserve meets to decide on policy.
KKR-led consortium agrees to Accell takeover bid
Buyout firm KKR and a consortium of others agreed to a takeover bid for bicycle maker Accell Group on Monday that valued the firm at €1. 56bn.