Market Pulse
Eurozone economic confidence improves more than expected
Eurozone economic confidence unexpectedly improved in December, according to official figures released by Eurostat.
Liberum starts Royal Mail at sell, says parcels market no panacea
Liberum initiated coverage of Royal Mail at ‘sell’ with a 360p price target, saying its recommendation is predicated on the long-term decline in letter volumes continuing and not being offset by growth in the parcels market.
Eurozone retail sales unexpectedly drop in November
Retail sales in the Eurozone unexpectedly fell in November, figures released by Eurostat showed.
Eurozone unemployment hits lowest level since 2011
The unemployment rate in the Eurozone fell to its lowest level in November since October 2011, according to figures released by Eurostat.
Ehang produces drone capable of transporting people
Chinese drone manufacturer Ehang has produced a drone capable of carrying a passenger.
Yahoo plans to cut 10% of workforce, report suggests
Yahoo is planning to cut at least 10% of its staff as part of a plan to get the troubled company back on track, Business Insider reported.
Treasury Committee questions why FCA dropped banking review
The Treasury select committee has asked the City watchdog to explain itself after the regulator backed out of its review into bank culture.
UK new car sales reach record high in 2015, SMMT reveals
UK new car sales rose to a record high last year, a report on Wednesday showed.
HydroDec achieves significant milestones at Ohio plant
Cleantech industrial oil re-refining group Hydrodec said the transformer oil produced from its recently rebuilt Canton re-refinery in Ohio has achieved '500hr' oil status, certifying the oil to be sufficiently high quality to access the larger power transformer market.
ITV adds Manz to strengthen board's financial brainpower
ITV has strengthened its board with the appointment of Diageo's Anna Manz as a non-executive director.
Great Portland Estates completes two property deals with Deka
Great Portland Estates has sold its 33 Margaret Street property, but picked up 50 Finsbury Square in two deals with Deka Immobilien Investment.
Positive fourth quarter for Rathbone Brothers
Rathbone Brothers posted a positive fourth quarter, though it did report a mixed 2015 in a trading update on Thursday.
Penna Consulting lifts full year expectations
Penna Consulting expects results for the full year to be significantly ahead of its previous expectations thanks to solid trading in the third quarter.
Majestic Wine reports big jump in Christmas sales
Majestic Wine reported a big jump in sales for the Christmas trading period as it benefited from the acquisition of Naked Wines.
London open: Stocks slip on China and oil price worries
UK stocks fell on Thursday as concerns over China's troubles escalated and as oil prices collapsed.
Europe open: Stocks slide on weak China cues as oil prices keep tanking
European stocks slid in early trade following another dismal performance in China, where trading was halted again after the CSI300 fell more than 7%, setting off the market’s circuit breakers for the second time this week.
House prices returned to growth in December, says Halifax
Data from Halifax has supported the notion that strong UK house price growth returned in December after November's blip.
Former Tesco boss Terry Leahy said to mull Home Retail bid
Former Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy and US private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice are reportedly mulling a possible bid for Home Retail Group to rival Sainsbury’s.
Centamin hits gold targets at Sukari, but marred by fatality
Gold-mining company Centamin has produced a set of mostly positive production results for the fourth quarter at its Sukari Mine in Egypt.
Paris attacks dampen easyJet passenger loads
Aircraft were emptier at easyJet in December, as the Luton-based airline felt the effects of a French leisure market muted by terrorism.