Market Pulse
OPEC 'rolls over' 30m bpd quota, welcomes back Indonesia
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries rolled over its oil production level, which was last set at 30m barrels per day, but declined to offer an exact figure on Friday, at the conclusion of its oil ministers' summit in Vienna, Austria.
Europe close: Markets edge lower amid ECB disappointment
European stocks ended the week on a beat note as they failed to shrug off the disappointment generated by the European Central Bank’s latest policy measures.
London close: Stocks slide as oil prices decline after OPEC meeting
London stocks finished lower on Friday as oil prices slid and as a better-than-estimated US non-farm payrolls report added to bets the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this month.
Segro non-exec director buys shares
Real investment trust Segro said on Friday that non-executive director Margaret Ford has purchased 9,000 shares at 446. 3p each.
JP Morgan reiterates overweight on Shire
Shire's $6. 5bn (£4. 36bn) acquistion of Dyax would result in some initial dilution but that would be more than made up for by the boost to earnings that it would deliver in following years, one of the world's largest brokers said.
OPEC (Update): Oil market pricing in 'no quota change' scenario, ministers' decision delayed
Oil markets are pricing in a 'no change scenario' in terms of OPEC's production, with the 12 member producers’ collective poised to confirm this later on Friday.
Broker tips: Inmarsat, Cobham, Whitbread
Inmarsat shares dipped on Friday after Citigroup downgraded the stock to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ but retained its £11. 50 target price.
US exports drop in November, weighed down by dollar strength
US exports to the rest of the world dropped sharply in October, as companies faced the headwind from a stronger greenback with volatility in energy prices also playing a hand.
Sector movers: Oil and gas stocks under pressure as crude slips
Oil and gas stocks were under pressure on Friday as the price of crude fell amid OPEC’s proceedings.
Whitbread slumps on Barclays downgrade
Premier Inn and Costa Coffee owner Whitbread was under pressure after Barclays downgraded the stock to ‘equalweight’ from ‘overweight’ and cut the price target to 5,200p from 5,800p.
US non-farm payrolls beat expectations in November
According to the Labor Department, non-farm payrolls in November rose by 211,000 compared with October’s upwardly revised 298,000 gain and with analysts’ expectations for a 200,000 reading.
Week ahead: Focus to shift towards Asia
Financial markets are expected to quieten down in the coming week following the ECB’s damp squib and the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Volkswagen UK sales slow down in November
Volkswagen saw its UK sales fell sharply in November, as the embattled car-maker suffered repercussions from the ongoing emissions scandal.
FTSE 250 movers: JD Sports in fashion but Drax gives back some gains
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 3% to 17,333. 51 at 1515 GMT, as investors digested a stronger-than-expected non-farm payrolls report that all but guarantees the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates later this month.
FTSE 100 movers: Whitbread downgrade sends market in the red
The London markets continued to slide on the back of yesterday’s ECB announcement as well as news from OPEC and the US jobs report.
Inmarsat dips as Citi downgrades to neutral
Inmarsat shares dipped on Friday after Citigroup downgraded the stock to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ but retained its £11. 50 target price.
UK taxman to shine spotlight on strippers' earnings
The UK taxman is cracking down on adult club owners and adult entertainers as it looks to recoup unpaid taxes.
More policy easing to come from the ECB, Citi believes
It’s not over yet for monetary easing from the European Central Bank, analysts at Citi told clients on Friday.
US open: Stocks rally as non-farm payrolls pave way for Fed rate hike in December
US equities jumped early on Friday, after a stronger-than-expected non-farm payrolls report all but guaranteed the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates later this month.