Market Pulse
GE sells appliances business to China's Haier for $5.4bn
General Electric has agreed to sell its appliances business to Chinese appliance maker Qingdao Haier for $5. 4bn (£3. 8bn).
FTSE 100 movers: Oil prices sink blue chip market
The FTSE 250 is set to end the week on a sour note, with the blue chip market sitting down 119. 49 points (2. 02%) at 5,798. 74 by mid-afternoon Friday.
US consumer sentiment edges up more than expected in January
Consumer sentiment in the US rose a little more than expected this month, according to preliminary figures released by the University of Michigan.
Six people critically ill after French drug trial
Six people are critically ill following a clinical drug trial in France.
Little has changed since December's policy meeting, Fed's Dudley says
As long as the US economy continues to grow at an above-trend pace, then the recent move lower in inflation expectations is not worrisome, a top US central bank official said.
US open: Stocks decline as oil price plunges below $30
US stocks declined as oil prices tumbled below $30 per barrel along with a fall in retail sales and industrial and manufacturing production.
Goldman keeps baseline case for WTI at $40 a barrel
As oil prices slid below the $30 mark, Goldman Sachs said it still sees “the birth of a new bull market” in commodities.
US industrial production drops more than expected in December
US industrial production fell for the third straight month in December, according to data released by the Federal Reserve.
Oil at fresh 12-year lows on China, Iran fears
Oil futures cratered again on Friday despite predictions earlier in the week that crude prices would recover sharply in the back half of 2016, amid worries about China and the return of Iranian oil exports.
US Empire manufacturing slumps to 7-year low
Business conditions in the New York region deteriorated sharply in January, according to a survey from the New York Fed.
US producer prices nudge lower in December
US producer prices fell in December, led lower by energy, according to data released by the Department of Labor.
Citigroup beats quarterly profit and sales forecasts but shares dip
Profits and revenues at Citigroup rose by more than expected in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Former Co-op Bank executives banned from senior City roles
The Prudential Regulation Authority has banned two former executives of the Co-operative Bank from holding senior jobs in the City.
'Sell' AB Foods after first quarter trading update, Canaccord recommends
Canaccord Genuity reiterated a ‘sell’ rating on Associated British Foods on Friday, citing flat first quarter Primark sales.
UBS still likes Renault, says share price reaction overdone
The reaction in Renault's shares on 15 January to news the French state had started a probe into possible emissions-testing fraud by the carmaker was likely overdone, analysts at UBS said.
US pre-open: Oil price drop triggers falling markets
US markets were set to shed any gains made this week after oil dropped and stayed below $30 a barrel.
Broker tips: Home Retail, AB Foods, Tate & Lyle
Home Retail has made it "difficult to mount a convincing defence against any bid from Sainsbury" after reporting disappointing sales over the Christmas period, Numis said on Friday.
Friday newspaper share tips: AB Foods a long-term plan
Future growth in Primark as well as good prospects for sugar saw The Times’ Tempus rate Associated British Foods shares at ‘buy long term’ on Friday.
JP Morgan advises caution on European chemicals until second half
European chemicals companies will be hit by a wave of external factors this year, so investors should seek refuge in the form of the handful of firms that might still manage to generate profits, albeit modest ones, JP Morgan said.
Europe midday: Resources and oil stocks pace the decline
European stocks fell on Friday following a steep decline in Chinese markets as oil prices tanked, falling below the $30 mark.