Market Pulse
South Africa will pay dear price for ouster of finance minister
The decision taken by South Africa’s president to replace his finance minister Nhlanhla Nene will not be without its costs, analysts said.
Smiths Group upgraded to 'sector perform' by RBC Capital
Smiths Group on Friday was given a ratings upgrade by RBC Capital Markets to ‘sector perform’ from ‘underperform’ ahead of the engineer’s strategy statement.
Barclays raises forecasts for euro but warns bigger fall possible
The European Central Bank's disappointing 'forward guidance' meant the single currency would weaken more slowly in 2016, but in the end it might in fact fall even further than Barclays had originally been expecting, the broker told clients.
IMF says EU exit risk creates uncertainty for otherwise healthy UK outlook
The International Monetary Fund commended the UK’s economic growth but warned that the referendum on the European Union would throw uncertainty into the mix, weighing on the outlook.
US pre-open: Wall Street's Thursday gains set to be undone
US stock futures dipped on Friday, reversing Wall Street’s first gains for the week on Thursday.
Friday newspaper share tips: Top up shares in Centrica
The Times’ Tempus thinks it might be the bottom of the decline of Centrica.
Dow Chemical and DuPont agree on merger of equals
Dow Chemical and DuPont have agreed to a merger that will create a combined company with a market capitalisation of around $130bn.
Deutsche Bank lowers price target on Aldermore Group
Updated proposals from the Basel Committee for standardised credit risk pose another headwind for Aldermore Group, Deutsche Bank said.
Europe midday: Equity markets push lower as oil prices slide
Energy-related shares led European markets lower on Friday as oil prices skidded, with investors looking ahead to the release of key US data.
London midday: Oil slump sends equities lower
UK equities slumped on Friday as oil prices continued to fall after the International Energy Agency said it sees the global market as oversupplied until late 2016.
Asia: Stocks decline as FOMC interest rate decision looms
Asian stocks outside of Japan declined as oil prices dragged and investors exercised caution ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision next week.
Asda and Morrisons cut petrol price below £1 per litre
Asda and Morrisons have cut the price of petrol to under £1 a litre, the lowest price it has been since 2009.
Standard Chartered raises £3.3bn through rights issue
Standard Chartered has raised £3. 3bn through a rights issue of new stock to boost its balance sheet amid a slowdown in China’s economy, the Asia-focused bank revealed on Friday.
China new loans grow in November
Chinese banks issued 708. 9bn yuan ($110. 10bn) of new yuan loans in November compared with 513. 6 trn yuan in October, according to data released by the People's Bank of China.
Man killed during north London police operation
A man has been killed in north London during an "intelligence-led" police operation.
PhotonStar LED supply contract cancelled
PhotonStar LED has terminated the supply contract with a UK-based electronics company that was announced in July.
OECD oil stocks will continue growing in 2016, IEA says, oil slips
Commercial oil stocks in the world’s major economies will continue to grow in 2016, albeit much more slowly, the rich-world’s oil watchdog said in a closely watched report, adding to the selling pressure on oil futures.
Crucial Lonmin rights issue sees 71% take-up
Beleaguered platinum miner Lonmin reported a 71% take-up of its heavily-discounted $407m (£269m) right issue.
Heathrow runway delay 'gutless' and bad for business
The government’s delay about whether to build a third runway at Heathrow has been labelled “gutless” by the British Chambers of Commerce’s director general.
UK construction output rises less than expected in October, ONS reveals
UK construction output rose less than expected in October from a month earlier, the Office for National Statistics revealed on Friday.