Market Pulse
UK personal insolvencies fall to 10-year low
The number of people declared insolvent fell to its lowest level in 2015, according to data released by the Insolvency Service.
Over quarter of London's 'pay as you go' journeys made using contactless payments
Nearly 27% of ‘pay as you go’ journeys on the London Transport network were made by using 'Contactless' card technology, according to data published on Friday.
Home Retail acquisition hits the skids, report claims
Sainsbury's acquisition of Home Retail has stalled, according to the Financial Times.
US consumer confidence edges lower in January, University of Michigan says
Declines in the stockmarket and a weakening economy weighed on consumer spirits at the end of January Stateside, according to one of the most widely-followed confidence surveys.
Salt Lake Potash excited by Lake Wells prospects
Salt Lake Potash was looking forward with excitement on Friday, over the prospects of its Lake Wells Project in Western Australia.
FTSE 250 movers: Tullett Prebon leads market to higher weekly close
The FTSE 250 was set to end the week on a high, with the second tier market up 226. 12 points (1. 40%) to 16,422. 67 by mid-afternoon on Friday.
Ferrum Crescent confident in South African project
Ferrum Crescent remained confident in its major South African project on Friday, despite revealing a setback in the timeline for its development in its quarterly update.
FTSE 100 movers: South Africa rate rise sends Old Mutual surging
The FTSE 100 was back over the 6,000 mark on Friday, rising 105. 69 points (1. 78%) to 6,037. 47 by mid-afternoon.
Results round-up
Sky has announced James Murdoch will return as chairman of the FTSE 100 broadcaster, as the company announced strong revenue growth for the first half of the year.
Avingtrans takes over Rolls-Royce pipe division
Avingtrans took a chunk of the ailing Rolls-Royce group on Friday, announcing the purchase of its internal pipe manufacturing business and the two related facilities in Nuneaton, UK and Xi'an, China.
US open: Stocks gain as investors cheer BoJ policy announcement
US stocks gained on Friday after the Bank of Japan’s surprise decision to introduce negative interests for the first time.
Chicago PMI surges past expectations in January
The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ index rose to 55. 6 in January from 42. 9 the previous month.
Premier Veterinary posts wider loss for the year
Pet care expert Premier Veterinary reported a wider loss for the year ended 30 September.
ITM Power sees bigger revenues, smaller losses in first half
Revenues were up significantly at ITM Power in the first half of the year, though the company still had work to do to reduce 'cash- burn' and achieve profitability, it revealed in its half-year report on Friday.
Eurozone private sector credit slowed sharply in December, ECB says
The Eurozone´s money supply and lending to businesses slowed significantly in December, which was unwelcome news for the European Central Bank, according to some - but not all - economists.
Week ahead: Carney and US employment report in focus
In the coming week, Bank of England governor Mark Carney will have a chance to explain the Monetary Policy Committee´s take on recent events in global capital markets, following recent 'dovish' remarks (and actions in some cases) from some MPC members and his peers in the Eurozone and Japan.
US growth slows in the fourth quarter
US gross domestic product growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter to an annualised rate of 0. 7% from 2% in the third, preliminary data from the Commerce Department showed.
US employment cost index rises as expected in fourth quarter
Employment costs in the US kept growing at a steady pace at the end of last year boosted by increased benefits payments for state and local government staff.
US pre-open: Markets set to surge after Bank of Japan announcement
US markets were set to surge on Friday as investors cheered the Bank of Japan’s latest policy announcement.
Gamesa rockets on Siemens bid reports
Shares in Spanish wind turbine maker Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica rocketed on Friday following a media report that Siemens was interested in making a bid for the company.