Market Pulse
Asia: Equities decline as oil drops and Fed rate hike looks increasingly certain
Most Asian stocks declined on Thursday, amid a decline in oil prices and strengthened expectations the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates later this month.
PHSC sees stronger H2 performance despite lower interims
Health and safety consultancy PHSC said it expected a strong second half performance despite a fall in interim profits.
Earnings flat but profits up at WYG
WYG managed a positive start to the 2015 financial year, improving its profitibility off flat earnings.
China business activity rises for first time in four months in November
Business activity in the People’s Republic of China picked up November for the first time in four months, the results of a survey showed, albeit only marginally.
Whitbread rallies as Credit Suisse hails growth and lifts price target
Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner Whitbread was the standout gainer on the FTSE 100 as Credit Suisse added the stock to its ‘Global and Europe Focus Lists’, lifting the price target to 5,800p from 5,500p.
South Africa's supreme court finds Pistorius guilty of murder
Oscar Pistorius could be facing up to 15 years in jail after South Africa’s supreme court of appeal found the Paralympian guilty of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.
Lighthouse Group signs affinity partnership deal with GFTU
Financial adviser Lighthouse Group has signed a deal with the General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) to be the preferred provider of expert financial advice to its members.
Eurozone retail sales miss forecast in October
Eurozone retail sales declined unexpectedly in October, data released on Thursday showed.
Germany's service sector growth hits fastest pace in 14 months
Business activity in Germany rose at its fastest pace in over a year in November, data released on Thursday showed.
Range Resources spuds third well in Trinidad
Range Resources said it has spudded the third development well of a 22 well programme in Trinidad and has now received government and regulatory approvals for its Morne Diablo waterflood expansion programme.
Barclays's Staley offers investment bank post to ex-JP Morgan colleague
New Barclays boss Jes Staley’s offer to another JP Morgan alumni to run the lender’s investment bank was rejected, to the relief of some observers, Reuters reported.
Old Mutual appoints former SA finance minister as non-exec director
Old Mutual has appointed South Africa’s former finance minister, Trevor Manuel, as a non-executive director with effect from 1 January next year.
Eurozone PMIs show economic recovery continues in November
The economic recovery in the Eurozone continued in November but price pressure remained largely muted, figures released on Thursday showed.
London open: Stocks climb ahead of ECB policy decision
London stocks climbed ahead of the European Central Bank’s policy announcement which is projected to reveal further stimulus measures.
Purplebricks expects valuation of £240.3m in IPO
Online estate agency Purplebricks said it has conditionally raised £58. 1m from an institutional placing and expects to be admitted to trading on AIM with a market capitalisation of £240. 3m.
Japan service sector slows down in November
Japan’s services sector slowed down in November, figures released on Thursday showed.
Europe open: Stocks edge higher as investors look to ECB rate announcement
European stocks edged higher in early trade as investors looked to the rate announcement from the European Central Bank.
London Midland wins another franchise extension
More trains and free WiFi have been promised to rail commuters in the Midlands, as London Midland was granted its second franchise extension this week.
Acacia Mining speeds up job cuts
Gold producer Acacia Mining unveiled plans to cut a further 1,050 jobs as part of its restructuring programme.
Booker's group operations director Satherley to step down
Booker’s group operations director, Bryn Satherley, will stepp down from the board and retire with effect from 1 April next year.