Market Pulse
Total Produce buys 65% stake in US-based Progressive Produce
Fresh produce company Total Produce has acquired a 65% equity stake in Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce for an undisclosed sum.
Stark warning from Dewhurst boss
There was a stark warning from the top of Dewhurst this week, with the company looking at a tough market and seriously muted demand for its keypad and switch products.
Babcock JV wins £1.1bn contract with MoD
Babcock International’s joint venture with Lockheed Martin, Ascent Flight Training, has been awarded a £1. 1bn contract from the Ministry of Defence.
Low & Bonar full year profit slips amid challenging markets
Performance materials group Low & Bonar posted drop in full year pre-tax profit as revenue slipped in challenging markets.
FCA raises concerns about possible CFD mis-selling
The City of London regulator has warned of possible industry-wide failings in the selling of trading products such as spread-bets, contracts for difference (CFD) and forex.
BP plunges into losses but maintains fourth quarter dividend
BP held its quarterly dividend at 10 cents a share as $2. 6bn of write-downs and restructuring charges sent it crashing into losses for the fourth quarter and full year.
Aureus Mining forms committee to look at enhancing shareholder value
Aureus Mining has formed a special committee to conduct a review of strategic options to enhance shareholder value.
JP Morgan Cazenove initiates coverage of Britvic and AG Barr
JP Morgan Cazenove has initiated coverage of soft drink companies Britvic and AG Barr at ‘underweight’ and ‘overweight’ respectively.
Fuel, food prices impact NWF Group revenues
NWF Group maintained its strong heading in the first half of the year, despite low fuel and commodity prices impacting on revenue.
Eurozone producer prices fall more than expected
Eurozone producer prices fell more than expected in December, according to figures released by Eurostat.
Eurozone unemployment rate nudges down in December
The Eurozone unemployment rate fell to a seasonally-adjusted 10. 4% in December, down from 10. 5% in November and 11. 4% the same month in 2014, data from Eurostat showed.
UK construction growth at nine-month low
The UK construction sector experienced a slowdown at the start of the year, data released on Tuesday showed.
Public Service Properties sells German care asset
Public Service Properties continued down the path of asset disposal on Tuesday, announcing the sale of its Brakel care home property in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Findel vexes Sports Direct with sale of Kitbag to Fanatics
Despite keen reported interest from major shareholder Sports Direct, home shopping specialist Findel has sold its Kitbag sports subsidiary to US merchandiser Fanatics Inc for £11. 55m cash.
Ultra Electronics finance director to join Oxford Instruments board
Departing Ultra Electronics Holdings’ group finance director Mary Waldner has been appointed to the board of Oxford Instruments.
Credit Suisse cuts global equities to 'benchmark', trims S&P 500 target
Credit Suisse downgraded global equities to ‘benchmark’ and cut its year-end S&P 500 target to 2,050 from 2,150, having already reduced its equity weightings to the lowest level since December 2008.
German unemployment drops in January
The German unemployment rate unexpectedly fell in January, data released by the Federal Labor Agency showed.
London open: BP drags stocks into the red after posting annual loss
The FTSE 100 dropped on Tuesday, led by BP after the oil major reported its worst annual loss in 20 years amid a slump in oil prices.
Europe open: Stocks in the red as BP, UBS slump
European stocks fell in early trade, with investors digesting disappointing results from BP and UBS as oil prices slid.
PipeHawk builds on axle partnership
One of PipeHawk's subsidiaries was building on a significant business relationship on Tuesday, with a new deal focused around the humble axle.