Fidelity Top Stories
UK industrial data confirms weak end to first quarter GDP
UK industrial activity disappointed for the second month in a row, according to official data published on Thursday that confirmed the economy lost some momentum in the first quarter of the year.
BT axes board bonuses and 4,000 jobs to cut costs as profits plunge
BT Group has reported a big decline in annual profits, as expected, and announced it was stepping up its cost cutting programme by axeing 4,000 jobs, while also revealing it was trimming executive pay after a challenging year.
It is too early to declare success, ECB's Draghi says
Economic risks have further diminished but it is too early to declare success, European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi reiterated, contrary to speculation that he might sound a more optimistic note.
Low volatility not necessarily signal of impending turmoil, Morgan Stanley says
Low levels of implied volatility do not necessarily mean that something bad is lurking just around the proverbial corner, analysts at Morgan Stanley believe.
BAE Systems begins 2017 with 'good momentum'
BAE Systems confirmed the 2017 has started with "good momentum" as the defence and aerospace contractor cited an improving outlook for defence budgets in a number of its markets.
ITV ad revenues to slump for whole of first half
Advertising revenue fell at ITV in the first quarter and is expected to remain down for the first half, though production sales from the broadcaster's Studios arm and online growth were both strong.
Consumer spending data shows strong Easter boost
Further data emerged to confirm the strong lift to spending in April from the later Easter this year, according to figures from Barclaycard.
Apple hits $800bn as analysts eye $1trn valuation
Tech giant Apple Inc remains the world’s most valuable company as the iPhone maker saw its share price push past $800bn on Monday.
US interest rates approximately where they need to be, Fed's Bullard says
Interest rates in the US are approximately where they need to be, under certain assumptions, a top US rate-setter said.
Russian energy minister backs oil output cut deal
Russia's energy chief supports extending last November's deal by the world's largest oil producers to rein in their combined output.
BofA ML marks up euro area GDP, expects premature ECB exit
Economists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch bumped up their growth forecasts for the euro area this year, but a slight slowdown is seen in 2018, with inflation even set to stray even further from the European Central Bank's target amid political challenges in France, Italy and Spain.
Warren Buffett calls Trumpcare 'huge tax cut for guys like me'
Famed US investor Warren Buffett referred to the healthcare reforms passed by the House of Representatives last week as a "huge tax cut for guys like me" during a shareholder meeting of his Berkshire Hathaway firm.
UK consumer spending weakens after rare online reverse, Visa finds
Consumer spending growth in Britain weakened to one of the slowest rates for more than three years, getting the second quarter off to a slow start.
Centrica to cut 1,500 jobs amid lower energy consumption, wholesale prices
British Gas owner Centrica said energy consumption has been lower than expected in the UK and North America so far in 2017 due to warmer than normal weather and that UK wholesale oil, gas and power prices have all fallen since it announced results in February.
JP Morgan more cautious, downgrades capital goods, lowers overweight on banks
Strategists at JP Morgan expect equity markets to continue to be well-supported over coming weeks but opted to reduce the riskiness, or 'beta', of their portfolio following "dramatic" gains for 'cyclical' stocks in the States and a 29% rise in German stocks over the past twelve months.
Chinese exports and imports slow more than expected in April
Chinese export and imports slowed in April amid a small increase in capital outflows but economists were optimistic on both counts.
Fed's Fischer argues against foisting policy rule on US central bank
The US central bank's second-highest ranking official argued against the use of "simple" mathematical rules when deciding on monetary policy.
US nonfarm payrolls top expectations, unemployment rate ticks lower
The US created more jobs than expected in April while the jobless rate unexpectedly declined, according to the latest release from the Labor Department.
Brent crude futures hit key technical support
Crude oil futures are sliding lower and testing technical support as markets wait anxiously for signs that the world's largest oil producers will extend their 30 November pact to slash production and keep prices near their recent levels.
IAG profits take off as passenger revenues recover
British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlines Group reported record first quarter profits well ahead of expectations as a drop in costs offset lower but improving passenger revenues, and said it expected a profit gain over the full year.