Market Pulse
US close: Stocks drop as oil prices plunge below $30
US stocks closed in the red on Friday as oil prices fell below $30 per barrel and as traders processed a batch of mixed economic data.
US retail sales volumes slip in December
US retail sales slipped in December as sales of clothing and at gasoline stations fell, capping off their worst year since 2009.
Bonds: Gilts power ahead as US growth forecasts are pared
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Week ahead: China and Iran in focus again
A steady stream of important economic indicators next week in almost all jurisdictions could be expected to keep investors and traders on their toes.
Market overview: Stocks drop with a thump as oil crashes again
1630:Close Further reports of tensions in China’s banking system, centred in part on Shanghai, and another very sharp move lower in crude oil futures sapped risk appetite, sending miners’ shares substantially lower by the end of trading. Randgold Resources and Centamin benefited from the renewed risk aversion, with the price of gold one of the few assets in positive territory. Mixed US economic data did little to prop up stockmarkets. In the afternoon, two Fed speakers put a brave face on the current economic outlook for the US, despite which yields on 10-year US Treasury notes headed below the 2.
S&P 500 drops below August lows
Selling on Wall Street picked just before midday in New York, with the S&P 500 at its August 2015 lows of 1,867 points - after having dipped below it - as of 17:53GMT, triggered by worries about China and another sharp drop in energy quotes.
Sector movers: Resource stocks get another hammering
Resource stocks took another familiar hammering on Friday, as metal and oil futures plummeted in London.
Commodities: Oil futures slide below $30, gold sees modest uptick
Oil futures tumbled below $30 per barrel for the first time since 2003, while precious metals registered modest rises during late afternoon trading in Europe.
Europe close: Stoxx 600 follows Chinese stocks into bear territory
European stocks fell sharply lower, apparently on reports of financial tensions in China and after another leg down in oil futures.
FX Roundup: Pound slides as yen, dollar tick higher
The pound sterling took another beating versus the greenback on Friday, while the yen continued to strengthen.
London close: UK stocks finish in the red as oil prices plunge
The UK equity market finished in the red as oil prices dipped below $30 per barrel and investors weighed a batch of mixed economic data.
Interest rate path can be adjusted higher or lower, Fed's Williams says
Speaking on Friday the president of the Federal Reserve bank of San Francisco, John Williams, reportedly said the US economy still needed help from relatively low interest rates and defended the Federal Open Market Committee's decision to hike on 15 December.
Debenhams CFO backs company's success
Debenhams’ chief financial officer is backing the company after a solid set of Christmas results.
Global airline profits will rise on lower fuel prices in 2016, Moody's says
Global airline industry profits will remain strong amid lower fuel prices in 2016, supporting a positive outlook on the industry for the next 12 to 18 months, according to Moody’s.
Falling gas prices and weak ruble drive Gazprom to loss in third quarter
Russian state gas giant PAO Gazprom swung to a net loss in the three months to end-September amid a slump in the energy sector and a weak ruble.
Paddy Power merger with Betfair gets Irish clearance
Paddy Power’s recommended merger with Betfair has received clearance from Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
S&P assigns BBB+ rating to easyJet's long-term debt
EasyJet had a solid competitive position and was set to see strong profitability over the next two years, the world's most prestigious debt rating agency said on Friday.
Ofwat's 'Water 2020' plans credit negative for UK water sector, Moody's says
Changes proposed by the UK regulator for water and sewerage companies in England and Wales – Ofwat – in its approach for the 2019 consumer price review would, if implemented, be credit negative for the sector, according to Moody’s.
FTSE 250 movers: Insurance worries sends Moneysupermarket.com falling
The FTSE 250 was set to close at its lowest point for 2016, with the market already down 256. 85 points (1. 56%) to 16,156. 42 by mid-afternoon Friday.