Market Pulse
FTSE 250 movers: Diploma surges on results; Thomas Cook slumps after Paris attacks
London’s FTSE 250 index was up 0. 1% to 16,796. 09 at 1400 GMT, with energy-related stocks sharply higher as oil prices rose amid air strikes in Syria following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
Broker tips: Icap, Spire Healthcare, Halfords
The disposal of ICAP’s voice business has prompted Exane BNP Paribas to initiate coverage of the FTSE 250 company at 'outperform', with a target price of 590p.
Empire State manufacturing index remains negative for fourth consecutive month
Business activity in the New York region remained in negative territory for the fourth consecutive month in November, figures released on Monday showed.
Downside risks to emerging markets point to need to re-assess policy, says ECB's Constancio
The European Central Bank will be in a better position come December to assess whether its current monetary policy settings were appropriate or not, a member of its governing council said on Monday.
European M&A will boom in 2016, says Fitch
European companies are more likely to contribute to a boom in mergers and acquisitions than significantly increase dividends in 2016, according to research from rating agency Fitch.
International Support Group on Syria agrees on need for ceasefire
Diplomats meeting over the weekend in Vienna agreed on a road-map to de-escalate the Syrian civil war and implement a ceasefire as soon as practicable with the aim of holding elections in 18 months's time.
Tullow Oil gushes higher on UBS upgrade to 'buy'
Tullow Oil shares surged after UBS upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘neutral’ and lifted the price target to 240p from 230p as it called a bottom to the net asset value downgrade cycle.
JPMorgan sees European equities higher at year-end, recommends buying DAX
European equity markets are likely to end the year higher, JPMorgan Cazenove said in an equity strategy note, adding that it’s time to buy the DAX.
HBOS probe may lead to bans for bosses
The bosses of bailed-out bank HBOS may be banned from working in the City of London after it emerged that they allegedly put pressure on auditing firm KPMG to fudge accounts.
Marriott International to buy Starwood Hotels for $12.2bn
Marriott International has agreed to buy rival Starwood Hotels & Resorts for $12. 2bn in a deal that will create the world’s largest hotel company.
London midday: Stocks hold higher despite geopolitical tensions
Stocks were holding higher come midday amid a backdrop of French airstrikes against Isis targets in Syria and news that diplomats meeting in Vienna had thrashed out an agreement for a political transition in Syria.
Juridica Investments disappointed with US court payout
Shares in Juridica Investments, the legal claims investor, took a dive after a US jury paid out less than expected in a corporate dispute.
Exane BNP Paribas initiates ICAP coverage at 'outperform'
The disposal of ICAP’s voice business has prompted Exane BNP Paribas to initiate coverage of the FTSE 250 company at 'outperform', with a target price of 590p.
Europe midday: Equities turn positive as energy gains offset weakness in leisure after Paris attacks
European equity markets reversed opening losses to trade higher, as strength in the oil and gas sector offset a weak showing in travel and leisure following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
US pre-open: Futures edge higher as gold and oil advance in wake of Paris attacks
US stock futures edged slightly higher on Monday, with Wall Street seemingly unperturbed by the choppy session experienced by equities across the world in the wake of the attacks in Paris.
Meggitt's Securaplane Technologies wins contract with Gulfstream
Meggitt’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Securaplane Technologies, has been selected by Gulfstream to provide high definition cameras for the G650 aircraft.
Sainsbury looks resilient to Macquarie after gravity bites
Macquarie has upgraded its rating on Sainsbury's after the shares fell 13% since interim results last week and the supermarket proved its resilience in a tough market.
European travel and leisure stocks under pressure after Paris attacks
European stocks were proving resilient in the aftermath of Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, but the travel and leisure sector was under pressure, with the Stoxx 600 sub-index down 2%.
Jefferies downgrades Spire Healthcare after profit warning
Jefferies downgraded Spire Healthcare to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ and slashed the price target to 285p from 400p following the company’s second profit warning in three months last week.
Restaurant Group shares drop as Nomura cuts to 'reduce'
Shares in Restaurant Group sank after investment bank Nomura downgraded it from 'neutral' to 'reduce'.