Market Pulse
US manufacturing sector picks up pace in October
The US manufacturing sector expanded at a slightly faster pace than expected in October to reach a six-month high, data released on Monday showed.
E2v Technologies interim profit rises despite challenging markets
E2v Technologies reported a small jump in pre-tax profit and revenue for the first half and maintained its outlook for the current financial year despite “challenging markets”.
Sinai plane crash caused by 'external influence', Russian airline says
The Russian plane that crashed in Egypt over the weekend was caused by an “external influence”, according to the airline on Monday.
Caza Oil & Gas financing talks continue as loan pressure mounts
Caza Oil & Gas has entered exclusive talks with an unnamed third party about an equity fundraising to help it pay its debts.
Serco rallies on RBC upgrade
Shares in outsourcing group Serco got a boost after RBC Capital Markets upgraded the stock to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’, keeping the price target at 9,500p.
Exane upgrades RBS on attractive risk/reward
Exane BNP Paribas upgraded Royal Bank of Scotland to ‘outperform’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target to 370p from 360p.
Turkey's Erdogan may fall short of super-majority, some analysts skeptical
Turkey's main political party unexpectedly swept to power over the weekend but appeared to have fallen short of the 'super-majority' needed to give its often criticised president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, new constitutional powers.
Shire agrees acquisition of Dyax Corp for up to 6.5bn dollars
Shire has agreed the $5. 9bn acquisition of Dyax Corporation, a US-based biotech with a rare-diseases pipeline offering strong growth potential, and said it remains interested in pursuing evasive rival Baxalta.
China's SAFE takes advantage of high prices, sells Bunds
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the People's Bank of China's arm in charge managing the country's vast international reserves, started selling German government debt in March, making it easier for European officials to implement quantitative easing.
US pre-open: Futures nudge higher ahead of manufacturing data
US stock futures edged slightly higher on Monday, as investors braced themselves for a number of key economic reports.
Stellar Diamonds agrees German investment as mining halted by rains
Stellar Diamonds has agreed to issue warrants and convertible loan notes (CLNs) to a German investment company as it raises an initial net £1. 26m working capital to aid its completion of a mining licence in Sierra Leone.
British Land lets first floor of Marble Arch House
British Land has let the first floor of Marble Arch House, W1, to Cirrus Logic, which is a provider of analogue and digital signal processing equipment.
Visa US and Europe join hands in £15bn deal
Payments technology group Visa has struck a deal to acquire Visa Europe in a deal worth as much as €21. 2bn (£15. 1bn).
London midday: China PMIs drag stocks lower
The London stock market retreated on Monday as weak Chinese manufacturing reports offset better-than-forecast UK factory data.
Europe midday: Stocks reverse losses on Eurozone PMIs
European stocks reversed early losses to push higher as encouraging Eurozone manufacturing figures helped to offset mixed Chinese data.
Quindell plans to return GBP415m to shareholders
Beleaguered insurance technology group Quindell announced plans to return £415m to shareholders in December following the sale of its professional services division, subject to court approval.
John Laing Environmental Assets buys solar PV portfolio for GBP18.8m
John Laing Environmental Assets Group has bought an unspecified large solar photovoltaic portfolio for a cash consideration of £18. 8m, which will be funded by a draw-down under the company’s £50m revolving credit facility.
Range Resources says production target in Trinidad won't be met until 2016
Oil and gas explorer group Range Resources warned it will not meet its production target at its Trinidad operations until early next year.
Lonmin expects to report full-year operating loss but record production
Lonmin on Monday said it expects to report an annual operating loss as the miner recovers from labour strikes in South Africa, rising costs and weak platinum prices.
Asia: Disappointing Chinese data drags stocks lower
Asian equity markets began the week on a downbeat note after unimpressive data from China fuelled concerns over the state of the world’s second largest economy.