Market Pulse
Guardian owners plan 20% cost cuts, may charge for content
The publisher of the Guardian and the Observer newspapers has announced plans to cut costs by 20% in order to break even by 2019, but management would not comment on potential job losses.
US close: Energy shares pace the decline as oil prices slide
US stocks declined on Monday, dragged lower by energy issues as oil prices slid.
ECB´s Draghi defends track record, calls for action on fiscal policy, reforms
Speaking at Deutsche Boerse´s New Year´s reception European Central Bank president Mario Draghi defended the efficacy of the ECB´s asset purchase programme, chastised critics of the bank´s policies and called for concerted action on fiscal policies, structural reforms and reducing the debt overhang.
Sector Movers: Glencore leads FTSE 100, oil midcaps head lower
Resource stocks were in recovery mode on Monday led by Glencore, while a failure of oil futures to maintain their earlier bounce saw oil and gas midcaps head lower.
Commodities: Oil futures fail to maintain Asian bounce
Oil futures headed lower on Monday, after failing to sustain a jump to $33 per barrel in Asian trading.
Russian economy falters on lower oil prices
Russia's economic growth fell 3. 7% on an annualised basis in 2015, down from a growth rate of 0. 6% the year before, according to preliminary data released by the country's statistics office on Monday.
Market overview: Glencore, homebuilders lead gains
1630:Close Shares in commodity trader Glencore finished at the top of the leaderboard in a down day for stocks as crude oil futures slumped after Saudi Aramco´s chief said his country could sustain low oil prices for a "long, long" time. Homebuilders again found a bid as market rates fell back on the long-end. MPC member Kristin Forbes said low oil prices gave rate-setters a bit more time to assess labour market conditions before having to decide whether the economy was strong enought to warrant a hike in Bank Rate.
Hedge funds take profits on bearish bets on oil
Speculative positions on West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell sharply last week, according to the latest data from the US Commodities Futures Trading Commission, as hedge-funds took profits following the recent crash in prices.
Saudi Arabia can sustain low prices for a long, long time, Saudi Aramco boss says
Crude oil futures weakened in afternoon trading following remarks from Saudi Aramco chairman Khalid al-Fatih that his country would maintain its investment plans.
London close: Stocks close lower as oil prices slide
The UK equity market closed on the back foot on Monday as oil prices continued to decline.
Europe close: Stocks edge lower, oil retreats after last week´s surge
European stocks edged lower on Monday, led by losses in the Eurozone´s periphery, against a backdrop of renewed oil price drops.
Treasury Committee launches tax inquiry in wake of Google controversy
The Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry into UK tax policy in the wake of the widespread dissatisfaction with HM Revenue & Customs's controversial tax deal with Google.
Oil price drop buys MPC a bit more time, BoE´s Forbes says
The drop in oil prices gives policymakers in the UK a bit more time before they have to decide whether the labour market is so strong that it requires a rise in Bank Rate, a top official said.
FX Roundup: Commodity currencies take another tumble
Commodity linked currencies took another tumble on Monday, while the euro and pound recovered versus the dollar over late afternoon trading in Europe.
Hilton launches budget hotel brand
After hotels giant Hilton launched a new brand aimed at budget travellers, shares in UK hotel companies were sent lower on Monday on fears of increased competition.
US says it is not leaning on Syrian opposition, reaffirms support
Syrian opposition parties repeated a call for a stop to bombardments against their forces in the country before any peace-talks could take place.
FTSE 250 movers: IMI downgrade sees market dip into red
The FTSE 250 was flip-flopping between the black and the red on Monday, with the second-tier market relatively flat by mid-afternoon, down just 9. 12 points (0. 06%) to 16,118. 87.
France air traffic controller strike hits Ryanair, Easyjet
French air traffic control (ATC) unions will join fellow public sector workers in industrial action from Monday evening, sending shares in airline companies lower in London.
Universe Group director sells partial stake to fund property acquisition
One of Universe Group’s directors has sold a 3. 5m share stake in the company to help fund a property acquisition.
AFH Financial Group reports surge in full year earnings
AFH Financial Group achieved a surge in full year earnings as revenues rose more than market expectations, the company reported on Monday.