Fidelity Top Stories
Germany's top court gives go-ahead to ratification of EU recovery fund
Germany’s top court allowed the country to proceed with the ratification of the European Union’s €800bn pandemic recovery fund.
Europe midday: Shares cling on as takeover talk boosts Boss
European stocks clung on to gains at midday after Tuesday’s pummelling as investors responded positively to earnings updates from Heineken and semiconductor maker ASML.
Bunzl Q1 revenues up on Covid product demand
Distribution specialist Bunzl reported a rise in first quarter revenue driven by demand for Covid-related products, but warned of a slight slowdown in the second half as it maintained full year guidance.
Asia, Africa help offset poor Europe sales for Heineken
Heineken reported better-than-expected first quarter sales amid the Covid pandemic, with increases in Africa and Asia offsetting plunging European revenues.
Federal Reserve not aiming for 'prolonged' inflation above target, Powell says
Inflation was set to be a "little higher" in 2021 but the US central bank was not aiming for a large and sustained rise beyond its target, its chairman Jerome Powell said.
Plus500 moves into US markets with $30m Cunningham buy
Contracts-for-difference trading platform Plus500 has made its first foray into the US market after buying Cunningham Commodities and Cunningham Trading Systems for $30m.
World wants 'justice, not hegemony' - Xi Jinping
China’s president Xi Jinping has called for a shake up global governance, including challenging the existing hegemony of big countries.
Nationwide lifts borrowing amount for first-time buyers
UK building society Nationwide is increasing the amount it will lend to first-time buyers in a move it claims will help increase home ownership.
Tobacco stocks tumble on reports of possible US nicotine curb
Global tobacco stocks fell heavily on Tuesday, after it emerged that the Biden administration was considering curbing nicotine levels in cigarettes sold in the US.
Moneysupermarket Q1 revenues fall 20%
First quarter revenue at price comparison platform Moneysupermarket fell by a fifth as consumers reined in their spending during the latest Covid lockdown.
Hammerson sees encouraging footfall rebound as shops reopen
Shopping centre owner Hammerson on Tuesday appointed a new finance director and reported an encouraging rebound in footfall at its English malls after a partial easing of Covid-19 curbs this month.
EU secures further 100m doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
The European Union has exercised its option for a further 100m doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, the two drug companies confirmed on Monday.
Football club shares surge as controversial European Super League unveiled
Shares in Juventus and Manchester United rallied on Monday, after long-rumoured plans to form a controversial breakaway European Super League were finally confirmed.
UK house prices hit record in buying frenzy
UK property prices have surged to a record high as properties sell at the fastest pace on record, a survey by Rightmove found.
'Green demand' to drive record tight copper balances, Goldman Sachs says
Strategists at Goldman Sachs reiterated their 'bullish' stance for a select group of global copper miners, predicting that so-called 'green demand' would drive the tightest balances ever over the next decade.
EU will not renew AstraZeneca and J&J contracts after they expire
The European Commission will not renew its contracts with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson for the supply of Covid-19 vaccine doses once they expire.
Babcock expects £1.7bn of impairments, aims to avoid equity raise
Babcock cautioned investors to expect multi-billion pound impairments and charges for the financial year just ended following its contract profitability and balance sheet review (CPBS).
JTC posts higher profit and sales, hikes full-year payout
Fund management services group JTC posted a sharp rise in full-year sales and profits thanks to both organic growth and acquisitions.
ZEW economic sentiment index for Germany cools unexpectedly
Economic sentiment in the euro area's largest economy cooled unexpectedly in April amid worries about the hit to activity from tighter mobility restrictions, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Chinese foreign trade surplus shrinks in March as imports jump
China's foreign trade balance shrank by more than expected after the Lunar New Year holidays as the rate of growth in imports more than doubled.