Market Pulse
London midday: FTSE flat on oil prices slump, disappointing data
London stocks were flat on Monday amid a lack of drivers as oil prices remained under pressure.
Kingfisher targeting £500m annual profit uplift
B&Q owner Kingfisher announced a five-year transformation programme on Monday, saying it plans to deliver a £500m sustainable annual profit uplift by the end of the process.
Buy Lloyds on pull-backs in share price, JP Morgan says
Lloyds Bank was best placed among the UK´s High Street lenders to complete its balance sheet transformation and become a dividend growth story again, JP Morgan said in a research note sent to clients.
Fire at China iPhone factory won't impact production
A fire at Foxconn Technology Group’s main iPhone production factory isn’t expected to impact production, The Wall Street Journal reported.
MX Oil surges on Nigerian offer
Mexico-focused MX Oil has received an offer for its Nigerian assets that values them at "several multiples" of the entire company's market capitalisation.
PeerTV surges after CEO resigns
The chief executive of AIM-listed Peer TV has resigned just months after announcing a deal to offload troublesome subsidiary.
Four senior executives leave Twitter
Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey has confirmed a number of high-profile executives have left the company, after rumours of two departures on Sunday afternoon.
Havelock Europa rallies on upbeat trading update
Shop and officer fitter Havelock Europa said trading for the year ended 31 December was in line with its expectations and the company’s cost-reduction measures were beginning to bear fruit.
Plexus plunges after major profit warning
Shares in Plexus Holdings sank like a stone after the oil drilling innovator warned profits would be "very significantly" below forecasts after a major slowdown in customers' planned activity, mainly in the North Sea.
Italian retail sales edge higher in November
Italian retail sales nudged higher in November, led by a bounce in sales of food items, but were still lower than a year ago in value terms.
Petra Diamonds first half revenue drops 28% but output rises
Petra Diamonds reported an increase in first half production but a drop in revenue as the group sold fewer diamonds at lower prices.
Lloyds and other lenders set to announce fresh PPI provisions, report claims
Britain's largest lenders are preparing to set aside billions of more pounds for provisions against the payment protection insurance mis-selling scandal, according to reports over the weekend.
Asia: Stocks rally on earlier gains in oil prices
Asian stocks were in positive territory at the closing bell on Monday, lifted by the energy sector on earlier gains in oil prices.
Constellation Healthcare sees 2015 earnings up 62% on the year
US-based Constellation Healthcare Technologies said on Monday it expects to post a 62% jump in earnings for 2015.
Sell the rallies, JP Morgan says again
The good thing about a bounce in markets sometimes is that it can be traded, but "don´t overstay your welcome" strategists at JP Morgan said on Monday to clients.
Trinity Exploration gets debt repayment extension
AIM-listed exploration and production company Trinity Exploration has agreed a further extension to the moratorium on repayments relating to its outstanding debt balance of $13m until the 29 January.
Italian industrial sales drop in November, but new orders jump
Sales in Italy´s industrial sector dropped in November, with turnover from both domestic and overseas clients retreating.
Pearson's ratings placed on review for downgrade by Moody's
Ratings agency Moody’s has placed Pearson's Baa1 long-term issuer rating as well as its Baa1 guaranteed senior unsecured ratings on review for downgrade.
Electra Private Equity to review investment strategy
Electra Private Equity is undertaking a review into its investment strategy and policy as well as the company’s structure, as it looks to maximise long-term shareholder value.
RBC upgrades Hays to 'outperform', notes sufficient upside
RBC Capital Markets upgraded Hays to ‘outperform’ from ‘sector perform’ but trimmed the target price to 140p from 150p.