Market Pulse
Citi downgrades Spirent Communications as telco demand worsens
Citi downgraded Spirent Comunications in light of worsening demand from the telecoms industry, where capital expenditure is now expected to decline 8% and 10% in the next two calendar years.
UK wants a "flexible, live and let live" European Union, PM says
The UK needs a flexible business-oriented European Union, not one that aspires towards an ever closer political union, according to Prime Minister David Cameron.
Irish PM defends country's corporation tax arrangements
Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has defended his country’s low rate of corporation tax, currently set at 6. 25%, and Dublin’s arrangements with global corporations which house subsidiaries in the country.
Goals Soccer Centres dives after profit warning
Shares in Goals Soccer Centres took a dive after the five-a-side football venue operator warned over its pre-tax profit for the full year following challenging trading in the UK.
ZOO Digital's clients grow but revenues dip
ZOO Digital has seen an increase in client numbers for the first half of the year, but revenues have dipped slightly.
Asia: Disappointing Chinese data drags stocks lower, Japan remains upbeat over stimulus
Asian stocks began the week on a mixed note, as Chinese and Japanese stocks surged but worries over a slowdown in China dragged other markets lower.
Red24 slumps as it posts drop in interim profit, revenue
Shares in Red24 slid after the company reported a drop in first half revenue and pre-tax profit after losing a contract with HSBC.
Saudi officials tell FT Kingdom will not lower output
Saudi Arabia would continue pumping oil at its current to defend its market share, despite the pain to the country's finances, senior officials told the Financial Times.
France business confidence index points to continued growth in November
French business leaders expected the country´s output to continue growing in November and construction activity to be a bit more dynamic, according to the results of a survey carried out by Banque de France, the country´s central bank.
Utilities shares fall on back of downgrades
Utility companies have taken a hit on the back of downgrades from a number of investment banks.
MediaZest swings to interim profit
Media and audio visual installer group MediaZest swung to an interim profit and remained confident the positive trend will continue for the remainder of the year.
Citi eyes special dividend from National Grid after gas sale rumours
Citi suggested that if National Grid sells its gas distribution business, as claimed in the weekend newspapers, it would use the cash for an acquisition or to pay a special dividend.
Kingspan's sales surge on acquisition and weak euro
Building materials company Kingspan Group said sales in the first nine months of the year increased sharply on the back of acquisitions and a weak euro.
Forbidden Technologies introduces branded channels to 'eva' platform
Forbidden Technologies has launched its first branded channel on ‘eva’ in partnership with Movember.
Eurozone investors confidence improves in November
Eurozone investor confidence improved after two consecutive months of decline, official figures released on Monday showed.
HSBC downgrades TalkTalk on 'far-ranging' impact of data hack
HSBC downgraded TalkTalk to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ and slashed the price target to 260p from 430p as it said the data breach that occurred in October will have lasting consequences on the telecommunications company.
German trade surplus shrinks in September
Germany’s trade surplus was smaller than expected in September as imports outstripped exports, data released on Monday showed.
London open: Financials in the lead, homebuilders move lower
Financials were leading gains on the Footsie early on Monday, with utilities and homebuilders again bearing the brunt of the selling pressure on the top flight index after Friday´s much stronger-than-expected US jobs report for October.
Powerhouse Energy in talks over gasification system
PowerHouse Energy Group said demonstration and review for its G3-UHt gasification system has started before a selection of engineering and commercial personnel from a municipal and regional government based in Central Europe.
John Laing portfolio grows 6% in first nine months
John Laing Infrastructure Fund has seen nearly 6% growth in its portfolio value for the year to date.