Market Pulse
DS Smith interim profit drops on restructuring costs
DS Smith posted a drop in first half pre-tax profit and revenue as the packaging company took a hit from restructuring costs.
Wizz Air November passenger numbers grow
Low-cost airline Wizz Air carried 1. 49m passengers in November, up 25. 5% from the same month last year.
AB InBev explores selling SAB Miller's premium European brands
AB InBev is looking at flicking off a number of SAB Miller’s premium European brands to satisfy any regulatory concerns that might come out of its proposed takeover.
Ryanair passenger numbers take off in November
Traffic at budget airline Ryanair rose 21% in November to 7. 71m, while the load factor – which measures the number of seats taken up on flights – rose to 93% from 88%.
Final Australian approval for Shell-BG Group merger
Royal Dutch Shell's proposed combination with BG Group was a step closer on Thursday morning, with approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
Thursday newspaper round-up: Nissan, British American Tobacco, TSB
The future of Britain’s largest car plant, Nissan in Sunderland, is under threat in an increasingly toxic row between the Japanese company and the French government. More than 7,000 jobs are at risk, as well as hundreds more at Nissan’s design facilities in Paddington, central London, and its engineering centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, should Paris go ahead with plans to take control of more than 30% of Renault. - The Times.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower after Yellen signals December rate hike
London stocks are called to open lower on Thursday, taking their cue from a downbeat session on Wall Street after Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen and Fed Bank of Atlanta president Dennis Lockhart signalled a rate rise this month.
Barclays sells Italian branches to CheBanca!
Barclays has announced it will sell its Italian retail banking network to CheBanca!, a member of the Mediobanca Group.
US close: Stocks slip after Yellen comments signal rate rise
US stocks lost some confidence on Wednesday after Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen and fellow rate setter Dennis Lockhart sent strong signals of a December hike.