Market Pulse
Vertu Motors acquires Audi and VW dealer SHG
Car retailer Vertu Morors has completed the acquisition of Audi and Volkswagen dealer SHG Holdings for £12. 8m in cash.
Eurozone manufacturing sector expands at sedate pace in third quarter
The Eurozone manufacturing sector expanded at a modest pace in the third quarter, official data released on Thursday showed.
FCA releases proposals for new pension rules
The Financial Conduct Authority has proposed changes to UK pension rules in a bid to address risks and challenges faced by consumers in the new retirement market.
Ebiquity appoints new CEO
Michael Karg has been appointed as Ebiquity chief executive, the marketing analytics group confirmed on Thursday.
Asia: Equities rally as China slowdown fears ease despite mixed PMI data
Asian stocks closed mostly higher on Thursday, with investors buoyed by news that concerns over a slowdown in China looked to be easing up.
Chinese manufacturing sector remains in contraction territory in September, PMIs show
China’s manufacturing sector remained in contraction territory in September, data released on Thursday showed.
UK economic growth strong but manufacturing stalls
The rate of economic expansion in the UK dipped slightly in the three months to September as manufacturing stalled, according to the latest CBI Growth Indicator figures out Thursday.
Caza Oil and Gas shares halve in value on news of equity financing
Shares in Caza Oil & Gas tumbled on Thursday after the company said it was in advanced discussions regarding a potential equity financing.
NetScientific announces placing, wider interim loss
NetScientific said it will raise up to £20m through a placing and additional fundraising to accelerate the development of its two lead portfolio companies, Vortex Biosciences and Wanda, and reported a bigger first-half loss.
HICL Infrastructure seals Canadian deal, cuts stake in Ealing project
HICL Infrastructure Company has completed the acquisition of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police headquarters in Canada’s British Columbia region for CA$ 54m (£26. 9m).
Range Resources names new non-exec director
Oil and gas exploration group Range Resources has appointed Yu Wang to the board of non-executive directors.
Pearson rallies on bullish Citigroup note
Pearson rallied on Thursday after Citigroup reinstated coverage of the stock at ‘buy’ with a 1,425p price target, pointing to the scope for improving revenue trends, better free cash flow and potential for accretive cash usage.
Asian Growth Properties sells Hong Kong land
Asian Growth Properties has sold its land at Fo Tan in Hong Kong to Centralcon Investment Holding for HK$1. 4bn (£119m), it said on Wednesday.
Informa appoints new committee member
Publishing and events group Informa has appointed David Flaschen as a member of its internal audit committee.
UK manufacturing sector remains subdued in September, Markit says
The UK manufacturing sector remained subdued in September, data released on Thursday showed.
Intelligent Energy buys Indian energy management business
Intelligent Energy has signed an agreement to acquire GTL Limited’s energy management business for around £85m to provide energy to over 27,400 telecom towers in India.
Garrett-Cox steps down as CEO of Alliance Trust in board shakeup
Katherine Garrett-Cox has stepped down as chief executive Alliance Trust as part of a broader board shakeup after a battle with shareholder activist fund Elliott Advisors, the company said on Thursday.
Europe open: Equities track US and Asian markets higher
European stocks rose in early trade, taking their cue from positive sessions in the US and Asia, as investors sifted through the latest data on Chinese manufacturing.
Drax appoints Will Gardiner as finance director
Power generation company Drax has appointed Will Gardiner as finance director with effect from 16 November.
MySale Group buys three Australian online retail sites
MySale Group has struck a deal to buy three online retail websites from Grays eCommerce Group in Australia, the company said on Thursday.