Market Pulse
Credit Suisse ups European insurance to overweight, downgrades banks
Analysts at Credit Suisse increased their weighting in the European insurance space to 'overweight' and said they now preferred the sector to banks.
Avanti Communications wins broadband contract with Telkom SA
Avanti Communications has won a contract with Telkom SA to provide national high-speed broadband coverage across South Africa.
Arian Silver receives default notice from Quitana
Arian Silver said it has received a default notice under the terms of its agreements with Quintana San José Streaming and Quintana AGQ Holding.
Hunting expects full year profit to plummet 90%
Hunting said it believe its full year profit will drop by around 90% due to weak market conditions.
Weir to cut more jobs as weaker oil price takes its toll
Weir Group said it expects full-year earnings to be broadly in line with current market consensus as it announced further job losses as part of its cost-cutting plans.
RBA keeps interest rates unchanged, Aussie strengthens
Australia's central bank kept a steady hand on the tiller when it met to decide on interest rates on Tuesday, arguing that the outlook for the economy had firmed a little.
Stagecoach boosted by Tyne and Wear bus report
Transport operator Stagecoach said it welcomed the Tyne and Wear Quality Contract Scheme Review Board’s decision to declare the bus franchising proposal presented by the North East Combined Authority had failed to meet the necessary tests.
Europe open: Equities nudge higher as investors sift through earnings
European stocks nudged higher in early trade, taking their cue from an upbeat US session as investors sifted through the latest batch of corporate earnings.
London open: FTSE flat ahead of UK construction data
The FTSE opened flat on Tuesday ahead of a report that is expected to show a slowdown in UK construction activity growth.
Just Eat serves up strong increase in third quarter
Food delivery group Just Eat lifted its revenue guidance for the full year after reporting a sharp increase in orders in the third quarter.
Steve Holliday to step down as National Grid CEO
National Grid has announced that chief executive Steve Holliday will step down from the company next year.
Regus third quarter revenue rises despite FX headwinds
Workplace provider Regus reported a rise in third-quarter revenue and said it remains confident in the outlook for the business.
Royal Dutch Shell announces increased synergies from BG purchase
Royal Dutch Shell will accelerate the implementation of measures to deal with a prolonged downturn in oil prices once the acquisition of BG Group is complete, the company told investors in a strategy update.
AB Foods profit hit by weak sugar prices, currency headwinds
Associated British Foods posted a 30% slump in pre-tax profit for the year ended 12 September as the company was hit by lower sugar prices and adverse currency moves.
Direct Line Group reiterates forecast for 2015 combined operating ratio
Direct Line Group posted a 3. 1% increase in total written gross premiums for the three months to 30 September, led by a 6. 8% increase in Motor.
Imperial Tobacco profit rises despite challenging markets
Imperial Tobacco posted a rise in pre-tax profit and underlying tobacco net revenue for the year ended 30 September and said it was well placed to meet expectations for the coming year, despite a drop in overall revenues.
London pre-open: StanChart beats third quarter forecasts
Shares were expected to rise at the start of the session, taking their cue from overnight gains on Wall Street that saw the Dow Jones Industrials move back into positive territory for the year and the S&P clamber back atop its mid-August highs.
Tuesday newspaper round-up: EU Treaty, Pfizer, Black Friday
George Osborne, Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer, will on Tuesday set out for the first time the UK’s demands for EU treaty change to protect its economy, taxpayers and the City of London in a two-speed Europe. After months of diplomatic shadow boxing, Mr Osborne will use a speech in Berlin to set out in detail how Britain wants a new EU settlement to enshrine the rights of non-eurozone countries in the 28-member club. – Financial Times.