Market Pulse
M&S website suffers technical glitch, leaks customers' details
Retailer Marks & Spencer was forced to temporarily suspend its website on Tuesday after customers reported that they had been able to see other people’s details when they logged onto the site.
Petra Diamonds fails to sparkle as tender prices fall
Shares in Petra Diamonds continued to lose their lustre after the release of a first-quarter trading update, as a 1% increase in production was coupled with a 9% decline in selling prices at its initial diamond tender auction.
Twitter tumbles after muted active users growth
Shares in Twitter tumbled 11% in after hour trading late on Tuesday in New York, after the social media giant revealed its pace of growth in active users was the slowest in two years.
Shell halts Carmon Creek oil sands project, to take $2bn charge
Royal Dutch Shell has decided to halt construction of its 80,000 barrel a day Carmon Creek thermal oil sands venture in Alberta, Canada due in part to a lack of infrastructure to move Canadian crude oil to global commodity markets.
German import prices suffer bigger than expected decline in September
Germany’s import price index declined more than expected in September, data released on Wednesday showed.
German consumer confidence hits lowest level since February
Consumer confidence in Germany declined to its lowest level since February, an industry poll revealed on Friday.
Volkswagen reverses to third-quarter loss on emissions scandal
Beleaguered German car maker Volkswagen swung to a €3. 48bn operating loss for the third quarter and a €2. 52bn pre-tax loss, as the emissions scandal took its toll on the company.
Swedish Riksbank expands bond-buying programme
Sweden’s central bank kept its main policy rate on hold at 0. 35% as widely expected on Wednesday, but extended its government bond purchasing programme as it looks to do more to get inflation up to its 2% target.
Riverstone Energy's net asset value increases in third quarter
Investment group Riverstone Energy posted an increase in net asset value in the third quarter, as it continued to invest in new projects.
Grainger buys property portfolio for GBP10.4m
Residential property owner and manager Grainger has acquired a residential property portfolio of 112 private rented sector (PRS) units for around £10. 4m.
Kennedy Wilson buys portfolio of nine Italian offices for EUR185.5m
Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate has agreed to acquire a portfolio of nine offices in Italy fully let to the government for €185. 5m.
Meggitt issues profit warning after aerospace and energy markets dip
Meggitt warned that full year profits will be well below forecasts after the aerospace and industrial components supplier endured softer trading during the third quarter, with a "marked deterioration" in its end markets in September.
Europe open: Equities edge higher as investors look to FOMC rate announcement
Stocks in Europe edged higher in early trade as investors sifted through a batch of corporate results ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee rate decision, which is due after the European close.
TeleCity on track to meet full-year targets
TeleCity Group said it was on track to meet its full-year expectations, although it warned that revenue growth will be at the low end of its guidance.
London open: Shares rebound ahead of Fed's interest rate decision
After an initial stumble, the FTSE 100 on Wednesday reversed the previous day’s slump ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rates.
Standard Life enjoys strong inflows to lift assets under management
Insurer and asset manager Standard Life reported a 2% increase in third-quarter assets under managements in volatile markets, driven by strong net inflows.
Lloyds books additional PPI charge as third quarter profit misses estimates
Banking giant Lloyds Banking Group reported a decline in third quarter underlying profit after it was hit by a further charge for insurance mis-selling.
Antofagasta cuts production guidance again
Chilean copper producer Antofagasta has again cut its production target for this year as it reported fairly stable output for the third quarter compared with the second.
Barclays confirms appointment of new CEO Jes Staley
Barclays confirmed the appointment of former JP Morgan investment banking head Jes Staley as its new chief executive, replacing Anthony Jenkins almost four months after his forced departure.
British American Tobacco revenue hit by currency movements
British American Tobacco posted a drop in sales for the first nine months of the year as the company was hit by currency movements, which it expects to have an impact on operating profit for the year.