Market Pulse
Cameron and Polish PM don't see 'eye-to-eye' on EU welfare reform
Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo has said she did not see “eye-to-eye” with David Cameron over his call for benefit curbs on EU migrants.
Mulberry swings to profit in first half
Luxury handbag maker Mulberry said it swung back into profit in the first half as revenue rose and the group’s strategy began to bear fruit.
Titon Holdings full year profit rises thanks to Korea subsidiary
Titon Holdings posted a rise in pre-tax profit for the year to the end of September as revenue advanced, largely thanks to a solid performance from its subsidiary in Korea.
Lowden appointed chair of Michael Page International
David Lowden has been appointed as chairman of Michael Page International.
French consumer prices slip unexpectedly in November
The cost of living in France retreated slightly in November, in a reflection of underlying weakness in the economy.
Sports Direct first half profit jumps 25%
Sports Direct International posted a 25% jump in first half pre-tax profit on flat revenue thanks in part to the continued roll-out of large format city stores.
UK trade deficit widens more than forecast
The UK's trade deficit widened much more than expected in October, with the £4. 1bn much wider than the £1. 8bn forecast and £1. 1bn the previous month due to a greater imports of goods.
Australia's unemployment rate falls to 5.8%
Australia's unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in almost two years on Thursday, to 5. 8%.
Old Mutual under pressure on RBC downgrade, rand slump
Shares in Old Mutual, which generates a large chunk of its profits from South Africa, slumped on Thursday as a broker downgrade and weaker rand weighed on the stock.
UK house prices rise in November, says RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said its house price balance nudged down to +49 in November, better than the +48 expected by analysts but lower than the upwardly revised +50 the previous month.
Premier Inn drives strong third quarter growth for Whitbread
Whitbread’s third quarter has seen a 10. 4% increase in sales, driven by strong growth in Premier Inn.
PZ Cussons profits will be flat as strong UK balances Nigerian weakness
Personal care and beauty products maker PZ Cussons has maintained a flat performance in the first six months of its financial year but warned that risks remained about its key market of Nigeria.
New Zealand interest rates cut to 2.5%
In a move widely expected by analysts, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand has cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 2. 5%, down 25 basis points, and hinted it could be cut further.
Europe open: Stocks take their cue from downbeat US session
European stocks slipped in early trade, taking their cue from a downbeat session in the US, as investors continued to keep an eye on commodity markets.
Swiss central bank keeps rates unchanged, as expected
The Swiss National Bank kept its main policy rate unchanged at -0. 75% on Thursday, as analysts had expected.
London open: Stocks decline ahead of BoE's interest rate decision
London stocks started on the back foot on Thursday ahead of the Bank of England’s decision on interest rates.
Attachmate acquisition pays off for Micro Focus
Micro Focus International rocketed its way through the first half of the year, with its interim results showing impressive growth on Thursday morning.
LondonMetric sells WH Smith warehouse for £18.2m
LondonMetric Property has exchanged contracts to sell its 210,000 square ft WH Smith distribution warehouse in Birmingham to a UK institution for £18. 2m, reflecting a net initial yield of 5. 2%.
Go-Ahead says trading in line, reaffirms full year expectations
Transport operator Go-Ahead Group said trading in the six months to 27 December has been in line and the company’s expectations for the full year remain unchanged.
John Wood Group on track to raise dividend
John Wood Group expects to hit all of its targets for the full-year 2015, including a double-digit increase to its dividend.