Market Pulse
US monetary policy appropriately quite accomodative, Fed's Dudley says
The stance of monetary policy in the US was the correct one despite the unusual lengtt of the current upturn because inflation remained below target and there was still slack in the labour market, a top Federal Reserve official said on Friday.
FTSE 250 miners: Metals and oil stocks rebound
The FTSE 250 was in the black on Friday, with the index up 231. 28 points (1. 52%) to 15,410. 08 by mid-afternoon.
Investec upgrades StanChart on weak year-to-date performance
Investec upgraded Standard Chartered to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’, with the stock trading at a fresh 21st century low of 387p.
FTSE 100 movers: Rolls-Royce leads index higher
The FTSE 100 was set to end the week having reduced some of its losses, with the index up 108. 93 points (1. 97%) to 5,645. 90.
Capita named preferred bidder for Lancashire contract
Outsourcer Capita has been appointed preferred bidder by Blackburn with Darwen Council to become its technical series partner, in a deal expected to be worth at least £60m.
US consumer confidence dips at the start of February
US consumer confidence slipped slightly at the start of February due to a less favourable outlook for the economy in the year ahead, according to a preliminary reading for February from the University of Michigan.
UK referendum likely to be held on 23 June, Morgan Stanley says
There is a relatively high chance that European Union heads of state can reach an agreement in time to call the UK referendum on continued EU membership by June, Morgan Stanley said on Friday, with good odds that that David Cameron's campaign for the "stay" vote will triumph.
Deutsche Bank confirms plans for €4.4bn debt buyback
Deutsche Bank has announced plans for a €4. 4bn (£3. 4) emergency debt buyback of euro- and dollar-denominated debt, after worries about the giant German lender's finances undermined wider sector and market confidence for much of the week.
Holders buffeted by tough components markets
Holders Technology was buffeted by volatile markets for its electrical components in 2015, with group revenue down significantly in the 12 months to 30 November, it said on Friday.
Premier Oil and Rockhopper abandon Ocean Rig contract
Oil and gas companies Premier Oil and Rockhopper Exploration announced the termination of a joint venture drilling contract with Ocean Rig in the Falklands.
US retail sales rise more than expected in January
US retail sales rose more than expected in January, according to data from the Commerce Department.
Monitise predicts positive earnings after massive write-offs
First-half results from Monitise showed underlying losses cut by a third as the painful restructuring of the financial software group grinds towards what is expected to be a profitable second half.
US import prices down 1.1% in January
US import prices fell for the seventh consecutive month in January, primarily on the back of lower fuel prices, data released by the Labor Department showed.
UBS downgrades BT on increasing competition
UBS downgraded BT Group to ‘sell’ from ‘neutral’ with an unchanged 430p price target, saying the risk/reward profile was unattractive.
Friday newspaper share tips: Confidence over Informa's future earning
The Times’ Tempus is confident about Informa’s future and the ability to raise earnings again, though acknowledged some investors might be tempted to take profits.
US pre-open: Bargain hunting begins
US futures were performing an end-of-week U-turn after markets had plunged throughout the previous days, with investors snapping up some bargains.
Environmental Recycling grants exclusive US licence
Plastic destined for US landfills was set to be turned into useful products for the industrial and railway sectors on Friday, with the announcement that Environmental Recycling Technology (ERT) had granted an exclusive licence for the country to James Plastics.
Independent to fold print editions after i sale
ESI Media, parent company of the Independent and Independent on Sunday, has confirmed the closure of the print editions of the newspapers and fully switches focus to its websites.
Jamie Dimon forks out a year's pay on JPMorgan shares
The chairman and chief executive of one of New York's largest banks spent an entire year's worth of pay buying back shares of his own company on Thursday.