Market Pulse
Commodities: Oil rises on Syria, metals continue to trade lower
Oil futures rose on news that US President Barack Obama has authorised entry of the country’s Special Forces into the Syrian conflict on Friday, while metals continued with yet another lacklustre session.
Week ahead: US jobs report and MPC decision in focus
The release of the monthly US jobs report on Friday will be very closely watched, given it will be the second to last report before the Federal Reserve´s next policy meeting in December.
Market overview: Stocks end month on a down note
1630:Close Stocks ended the session on a down note, but were nevertheless 4. 5% higher for the month. Taylor Wimpey led gains on the Footsie, followed close behind by shares in Meggitt and the likes of Anglo American and Glencore. IAG sank to the bottom of the pile on apparent profit taking. Out on the second-tier index it was Pets at Home and Cineworld which did worse, with the latter weighed down by a downgrade out of Canaccord. Economic data Stateside was mixed, although the Chicago PMI for October jumped ahead of forecasts to reach its best levels since January 2015.
San Francisco Fed president warns about low neutral interest rates
Low neutral interest rates in the US are a warning signal of possible changes in the country´s economy which the central bank does not yet completely comprehend.
Sector movers: Gold decline sends precious metal stocks lower
Precious metal, along with banking and airline stocks pushed the London market lower on Friday.
Improvement in base commodities complex expected, Citi says
Some macroeconomic indicators might have been pointing to scope for near-term improvement in the shares of commodities-related companies, Citi said in a research note sent to clients.
FTSE 100 movers: IAG hits a rough patch; Meggitt bounces back
London’s FTSE 100 index slumped, as investors booked some profits at the end of a fairly solid month of October.
Europe close: Stocks struggle for direction as inflation remains muted
European stocks ended the week on a mixed note, as investors analysed a number of contrasting economic reports.
London close: Stocks end lower after raft of economic data
The UK equity market ended lower on Friday as investors weighed a mix of economic data and earnings.
US consumer confidence declines in October
Consumer sentiment in the US declined in October, official figures released on Friday showed.
FX Roundup: Dollar trades lower for second successive session
The dollar traded lower against major crosses on Friday after the US Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates unchanged earlier in the week at 0. 25%, in line with market expectations but left the door open to an increase in December.
EU Commission opens in-depth probe into Hutchison bid for O2
The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Hutchison Whampoa's £10. 3bn bid for Telefonica’s 02.
US special forces to be deployed in Syria
US special forces will be deployed in Syria to assist anti-government rebels in the fight against Islamic State militants.
Friday newspaper share tips: IAG, Serco
IAG´s maiden dividend marks its recovery from the depths of the financial crisis in 2008, when its precursor British Airways eliminated it. Many see that as vindication of the takeover of Spain´s Iberia and then Ireland´s Aer Lingus, with FinnAir expected to be the next target. It would give the company led by Willie Walsh an excellent base for flights to China and the Far East. The company also has a state-of-the-art fleet of fuel-efficient Airbus A350s about to arrive.
US employment cost in line with expectations in September
US employment cost rose in line with expectations in the third quarter, data published on Friday showed.
IAG profits soar in third quarter but shares lose altitude
Profits soared at International Consolidated Airlines (IAG) in the third quarter thanks to rising revenues, the acquisition of Aer Lingus and cheap fuel.
US open: Stocks struggle for direction amid mixed data
US equities moved in tight ranges early on Friday a series of mixed economic report showed personal spending was flat in September.
Chicago PMI back in positive territory in October
The Chicago purchasing managers' index rose to its highest level since the turn of the year in October, figures released on Friday showed.
TalkTalk says cyber attack "much smaller" than originally suspected
TalkTalk said on Friday that the extent of the data accessed in last week’s cyber attack is significantly less than originally suspected.