Market Pulse
4D Pharma reports positive trial results for IBS treatment
Drugmaker 4D pharma has reported positive progress in clinical trials for its Blautix live biotherapeutic for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Lifeline Scientific confirms it will beat full year views
Transplantation technology company Lifeline Scientific confirmed that pre-tax profit for the full year is expected to be materially ahead of market expectations.
Unilever left at 'buy' by Canaccord after full year results
Unilever’s ‘buy’ rating and 3415p price target were left unchanged by Canaccord Genuity on Tuesday after the company reported better-than-expected fourth quarter results.
HSBC upgrades Serco to hold despite weak growth outlook
Despite a weak growth outlook, HSBC has upgraded Serco Group from ‘reduce’ to ‘hold’, keeping its target price of 77p.
UK producer prices slip in December, with little pressure in the pipeline
Factory gate deflation eased at the end of 2015, but still large drops for input prices pointed to a lack of pressures in the pipeline, economists said.
Twitter goes offline for over two hours
Millions of Twitter users were unable to use the social media service on Tuesday after an outage which appeared to affect users around the world.
Sofa so good for ScS over Christmas
Furniture retailer ScS Group said it expected to deliver annual profits "significantly ahead" of expectations after strong festive trading.
BAE Systems slips on Credit Suisse downgrade
BAE Systems was under pressure on Tuesday after Credit Suisse downgraded the stock to ’underperform’ from ‘neutral’, saying it was not the bank’s preferred defence name, particularly after its recent strong run.
Ocado surges on rumours of Amazon bid
Shares in Ocado were flying on Tuesday morning as rumours of a bid from Amazon resurfaced.
IMF cuts global growth forecasts
The International Monetary Fund has cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years, as the slowdown in China, weaker commodity prices and strain in some large emerging market economies weigh on prospects.
Eurozone CPI improves in line with expectations
Eurozone inflation improved in line with expectations in December, driven by higher prices charged at restaurants and cafes, Eurostat revealed.
German ZEW better than expected in January
German investor confidence came in a little better than expected for January, according to the latest survey from the ZEW Center For European Economic Research in Mannheim.
UK core CPI rises past forecasts in December, led by airfares
UK consumer prices rose by slightly more than expected in December, with so-called ‘core’ consumer prices coming in comfortably ahead of market expectations.
Quantum Pharma seeks solace after profit warning
Quantum Pharma, the manufacturer and supplier of niche medicines and healthcare services, warned annual profits would be lower than forecast due to pipeline delays that will also affect the coming financial year.
Clinigen Group's acquisitions boost first half growth
Clinigen Group says it has had a solid first half performance, driven by acquisitions and organic growth.
Asia: Stocks climb on China stimulus hopes
Asian stocks advanced on Tuesday as worse-than-expected Chinese economic growth data raised hopes of further stimulus measures.
Oil prices to fall further in oversupplied market, says IEA
The crude oil market is expected to remain oversupplied until at least late this year, amid rising supply and unseasonably warm weather, the International Energy Agency said in its monthly report.
London open: Stocks gain as slowdown China GDP fuels stimulus hopes
UK stocks rallied as disappointing economic growth data in China fuelled hopes of further stimulus measures.
Investment director takes up Prudential CEO post full-time
Prudential has appointed John Foley as permanent chief executive of the group’s UK and Europe division.
Barclays upgrades AstraZeneca on attractive growth outlook
Barclays upgraded AstraZeneca to ‘equalweight’ from ‘underweight’ and lifted the price target to 5,000p from 4,400p following a review of the pipeline and the recent Acerta Pharma and ZS Pharma deals.