Market Pulse
US files civil suit against Volkswagen under Clean Air Act
The US has filed a civil lawsuit against German carmaker Volkswagen AG for what it alleges are violations of the Clean Air Act though its attempts to cheat emissions tests on 600,000 cars.
US close: Markets plummet amid China jitters, manufacturing slowdown
US markets took a nosedive on Monday, following the global pattern set by China's trading halt earlier in the day.
Atlanta Fed model points to GDP growth of 0.7% in fourth quarter of 2015
The US economy grew more slowly than previously thought in the final three months of 2015, according to the Federal Reserve bank of Atlanta.
Commodities: Oil sheds gain, but gold up on Middle East tensions
Gold futures rallied on Monday amid growing tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia over the execution of a prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by the latter, but an uptick in oil futures stalled later in the European session on inventory data.
Sector movers: Mining stocks clobbered by weak Chinese data
Mining stocks took a tumble on Monday following weak macroeconomic data from China, just as tensions in the Middle East spooked investors across the board.
Mexico optimistic for oil output amid mixed results to opening up
As it opens up its oil sector, Mexico's energy ministry has calculated that the Latin American country could reverse the last decade of declining output, with a best-case scenario that predicts a 45% rise over the next 15 years.
Market overview: Shares drop on China, Middle East angst
1630:Close Shares of commodities and emerging market-related companies led on the downside on Monday after a sharp slump overnight in Shanghai equities. Shire was also in the red following speculation it was close to completing a takeover of Baxalta. Weak manufacturing sector survey data out of the States did little to bolster sentiment, nor did a serious flare-up of diplomatic tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Despite the latter, front month Brent crude futures finished the session 0.
Europe close: Slump in Chinese stocks and geopolitical tensions rattle investors
Heavy losses in China's stock market overnight and tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia rattled already wary investors in the first day of trading of 2016.
Zambeef directors grab bigger stakes in beef producer
Ex-banker Adam Fleming has added further to his stake in Zambian beef producer Zambeef, where he is a non-executive director, splashing out £795,000 on shares.
Supportive Boron increases stake in IHG
Boron Investments, the vehicle of Dutch travel industry veteran John Fentener van Vlissingen, has upped its stake in Intercontinental Hotels Group above 5% amid the continued swirling of M&A rumours around the Holiday Inns owner.
London close: Stocks end lower after PMIs miss forecasts
UK equities slid on Monday as manufacturing data around the globe missed expectations.
Trendit successfully places shares, lists on main market
Trendit successfully placed 67m new shares among investors and had its full ordinary share capital accepted to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s main market on Monday.
Vast Resources obtains cornerstone investor
Vast Resources secured fresh capital from a US-based family office to help raise production at its two polymetallic mines in Romania and to help fund new projects.
Downing Street promises 13,000 new homes with support for smaller builders
Up to 13,000 new homes could soon be built on UK public land, many of which by smaller building firms, as Westminster declared it was "pulling out all the stops" to mitigate the housing crisis.
Saudi Arabia bans all flights to Iran
Saudi Arabia announced that it would severe all commercial ties with Iran in response to Saturday’s storming of its embassy in Tehran by a mob, including all flights to and from its neighbour, according to reports.
FTSE 250 movers: Ocado keeps falling, Allied Minds lifted by paper tip
With less exposure to international companies than the blue chip benchmark, the FTSE 250 index was down 1. 5% by mid afternoon, compared to the 2%-plus dip of the FTSE 100.
US construction spending unexpectedly drops in November
US construction spending unexpectedly fell in November, according to the latest figures from the Commerce Department.
Strategists not overly pessimistic on China
The rebalancing and slowdown in the Chinese economy will be a long and drawn-out affair, economists at RBS said on Monday, following the release of a much weaker than expected reading on the country’s factory sector.
Markit's US manufacturing PMI hits lowest level in over three years
Markit’s US manufacturing PMI came in at 51. 2 in December, down from 52. 8 in November and a flash estimate of 51. 3, hitting its lowest level since October 2012.
FX Roundup: Yen, Swiss franc up on safe haven demand
Safe haven demand sent the yen and Swiss franc higher on Monday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.