Market Pulse
Asia: Stocks mostly lower ahead of Fed's interest rate decision
Asian stocks closed mostly lower on Monday on market jitters ahead of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.
Entertainment One completes controversial refinancing deal
Entertainment One has completed its refinancing arrangement which was announced to shareholders at the beginning of the month.
Independent Oil & Gas signs rig contract with Transocean
North Sea-focused Independent Oil & Gas has signed a rig contract with Transocean Drilling UK to procure the Transocean John Shaw semi-submersible rig to drill the company's well on the Skipper oil discovery in the Northern North Sea.
Walker Greenbank issues profit warning after Storm Desmond
Interior furnishings group Walker Greenbank said full year pre-tax profit is expected to be around 15% lower than current market forecasts due to the disruption caused by flooding at its fabric printing business in Lancaster.
House prices down 1.1% in December, says Rightmove
House prices fell for the second month in a row in December, according to the latest data from property website Rightmove.
South Africa's PIC lifts stake in Lonmin to just under 30%
The Public Investment Corporation of South Africa has upped its stake in beleaguered platinum miner Lonmin to 29. 9% from 7% after it purchased shares in the company’s heavily-discounted rights issue.
RPC Group plans acquisition of Global Closure Systems
Plastic products design and engineering company RPC Group is planning to acquire Global Closure Systems Group (GCS Group) in a deal valued at €650m (£470m).
London open: Stocks rise as Chinese data impresses
UK stocks gained on Monday after better-than-expected Chinese data on retail sales and industrial production over the weekend.
Drax powers higher on Goldman upgrade
Shares in power company Drax surged after Goldman Sachs upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘sell’.
Europe open: Stocks push higher as investors look to Fed announcement
European stocks pushed higher in early trade, with investors shrugging off a weak Asian session as they looked ahead to this week’s Federal Reserve rate decision.
National Express begins operating German rail services
National Express Group has begun operating services on its first two German rail contracts on the Rhine Munster Express route.
AstraZeneca confirms talks with biotech group Acerta
Pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca confirmed that it is exploring potential strategic options with biotech company Acerta Pharma BV.
AA extends contract with Trakm8
Roadside assistance group AA has extended its current relationship with telematics car data provider Trakm8.
Electrocomponents appoints David Egan as group FD
Electrocomponents has appointed David Egan as group finance director with effect from 1 March next year.
Man Group to appoint former trade minister Livingston as chairman
Man Group confirmed on Monday that it was in the process of appointing former trade minister Lord Livingston of Parkhead as its new chairman.
Greene King chief joins Morrisons board
Wm Morrison Supermarkets has announced Rooney Anand will join its board as a non-executive director and as senior independent director on 1 January 2016.
Monday newspaper round-up: Fosun, Rolls-Royce, RBS
Guo Guangchang, the Chinese tycoon caught up in Beijing’s anti-corruption drive, has emerged in public for the first time after four days out of sight while assisting a judicial investigation. Mr Guo appeared on stage on Monday to address an annual internal conference of his company, Fosun, but he made no mention of the investigation. – Financial Times.
WPP to merge Australian and NZ businesses with STW Communications
Media company WPP has agreed to merge its Australian and New Zealand businesses with marketing and communications business STW Communications Group and increase its shareholding from 23. 6% to 61. 5%.
London pre-open: Stocks seen touch lower as investors eye Fed
London stocks are set to open lower on Monday, taking their cue from losses in Asia, as weaker oil prices and this week’s interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve keep investors on edge.
Treasury Committee calls for investigation into HBOS near-collapse
The chairman of the Treasury Select Committee has called for the re-examination of the need for an investigation following the near-collapse of HBOS in 2008.