Market Pulse
Commodities: Oil, metal futures recover as dollar pressure eases
Oil and metal futures recovered on Friday, as the dollar weakened marginally with the weekend approaching.
Sector movers: Resource stocks recover in Smith & Nephew's company
Resource stocks recovered on Friday following an uptick in metal prices while Smith & Nephew shares spiked on takeover rumours, yet primary London indices still ended the week in negative territory trailing declines on Wall Street.
Week ahead: US and Japanese data in the spotlight
Despite most market operators having already squared their trading books in the run-up to Christmas, quite a few first-tier macroeconomic indicators are scheduled for release in the coming week.
FX Roundup: Dollar rally cools as euro reverses losses
The dollar’s rally against a basket of global currencies cooled during the European session on Friday, as traders booked profits with the weekend approaching.
Europe close: Investors take profits
European stocks ended in the red on Friday, giving back some of the gains made in the previous session.
Carnival cruises into profit thanks to low fuel prices
Lower fuel costs pumped up Carnival Corporation in its last quarter, allowing the cruise line to turn a profit.
London close: Stocks track losses on Wall Street
Investors took profits on Friday as Wall Street fell on day two after the US Federal Reserve's decision to hike interest rates, defying expectations for the traditional Santa Claus rally in stocks.
Progressive Media reveals bold acquisition plan
It was a case of out with the old and in with a whole new division and name for Progressive Digital Media Group, in an acquisition and disposal proposal revealed on Friday.
Outlook sunnier for All Leisure Group
All Leisure Group was looking at a slightly sunnier financial year on Friday, as it updated the market ahead of the publication of its full results.
1PM prepares market for positive interim results
A newly-expanded 1PM greased the market on Friday, to prepare it for positive interim results come January.
FTSE 250 movers: Market to end the day in the red
The FTSE 250 was on track to finish Friday in the red after being bolstered on Thursday after the Fed rate hike. The market was down 72. 46 points (0. 42%) to 17,104. 82 by mid-afternoon.
US-based Stryker set to pounce on Smith&Nephew
Stryker may be set to pounce on rival Smith&Nephew according to a person with knowledge of the situation, Street Insider reported.
US House passes $1.1trn spending bill
The US House of Representatives has approved a $1. 1trn year-end spending bill that will keep the government funded until next September.
United Carpets rolls out positive first half
It was a positive start to the year for United Carpets, with the retailer marking first half results on Friday.
US open: Stocks fall on day two after Fed rate hike
Stocks dropped immediately lower out of the gate on the second day post the US central bank´s decision to raise interest rates, with little in terms of fresh economic news and with most traders making sure their books were squared going into the typically extremely quiet holiday season.
FTSE 100 movers: ARM falls over Apple Christmas sales speculation
With the US Federal Reserve's hike honeymoon period coming to an end and new easing measures announced in Japan, London markets were similarly affected with the FTSE 100 down 36. 19 points (0. 59%) to 6,066. 35.
Smart store concepts a winner for MediaZest
From video-based car dealerships to 'smart' opticians, MediaZest was celebrating its successes on Friday.
Impact Holdings stock down 30% on half-year results
Impact Holdings shares fell by a third on Friday, as it suspended the recognition of revenue figures amid a Supreme Court case against its debtors.
888 Holdings CFO offloads his stake
Two senior executives at 888 Holdings sold shares in the gaming company.
WPP's GroupM buys The Exchange Lab
WPP’s media investment management business, GroupM, has acquired programmatic marketing solutions company The Exchange Lab for an undisclosed sum.