Market Pulse
US close: Markets rally as oil prices surge
US markets started the week with a bang on Monday, off the back of some serious rises in oil prices during the session.
Treasury committee requests cost/benefit analysis of UK's EU membership
The UK Commons Treasury Select Committee chairman Andrew Tyrie has asked Prime Minister David Cameron to publish analysis of the overall costs and benefits of the country’s membership of the European Union.
IEA cautions consumers about 'cheap oil'
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has cautioned consumers about ‘cheap oil’ lulling them into a false sense of security.
Sector Movers: Resource stocks keep London market on positive turf
Resource stocks started the week on a positive note, with headline London indices ending Monday’s session in the green.
Pound could fall to $1.20 but Carney would step in, economists say
After falling to a seven-year low on Monday, the pound could sink much further ahead of the In-Out European Union referendum, economists have warned, but the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee would be likely to intervene before long.
Analysts´ concerns around Brexit weigh on pound, further losses possible
London Mayor Boris Johnson´s support for the 'Leave' campaign in the upcoming referendum on whether to abandon the European Union appeared to crystallise analysts´ concerns that a Brexit was not wholly inconceivable.
Bonds: Gilts gain amid Brexit jitters, sharp losses for the pound
These were the movements in the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Market overview: Homebuilders lead drop amid recession chatter
1630:Close Stocks jumped at the start of the week, led by rocketing basic resource stocks as some analysts referenced better indications for China´s construction and infrastructure markets and supply factors. Nonetheless, the Footsie underperformed its continental peers as cable registered its largest one-day slide since 2009 and shares in homebuilders weighed. To take note of, strategists at Liberum reportedly told clients to watch "ultra-cyclical" shares such as those of banks and homebuilders, as those were the first one to show signs of weakness in 2008.
Lighthouse shines beam on pensions opportunity as profits surge
Final results from Lighthouse Group impressed, with the dividend lifted as profits from the financial advisory group surged.
Commodities: Oil rises on IEA production decline forecast
Oil futures returned to positive territory on Monday, after the International Energy Agency put out forecasts predicting a gradual supply correction over the next two years.
FX Roundup: Pound takes a tumble on 'Brexit' concerns
The pound sterling fell to its lowest level versus the dollar since 2009, as Brexit concerns came to the fore on Monday with a referendum on the country’s membership of the European Union set for 23 June.
London close: Miners bolster equities as copper and oil prices rally
The FTSE 100 ended on a high note as oil and metals´ prices extended their recent rally, giving mining stocks a boost.
Europe close: Basic resource stocks rocket
European stocks rose on Monday, with basic resources and energy issues pacing the advance as metals´ prices gained and oil prices rallied.
Consort Medical agrees partnership and invests in Precision Ocular
Consort Medical has made a £3. 3m equity investment for a 13. 7% stake in retinal therapeutics specialist Precision Ocular and agreed a development and manufacturing partnership.
Bonds: Investors see opportunity in pound-denominated debt
Gilts advanced even as news broke that David Cameron might be facing some unexpected opposition in Belgium to his efforts to reach a new settlement for the UK with his EU peers.
Fitch and Moody's warn of Brexit vote risks
Britain voting to leave the European Union will weigh on confidence, delay investment decisions and possibly lead to a negative outlook for government debt, credit agencies Fitch and Moody's warned.
FTSE 250 movers: Home Retail leads risers over possible bidding war
The FTSE 250 was firmly in the black on Monday, up 124. 90 points (0. 77%) to 16,282. 96 by mid-afternoon.
Small caps news round-up
Nostra Terra Oil and Gas announced a new acquisition on Monday, with the purchase of producing assets in the Permian Basin of New Mexico from Alamo Resources II. The AIM-traded company agreed to pay $3m to acquire a 60% working interest in the producing assets located in the southwestern US state. $2. 7m was due by 31 March, and an additional $0. 3m was due one year later, payable in cash or shares in Nostra Terra at its own discretion.
Vipera directors pick up 1.1m shares
Four of the directors of Vipera, a specialist provider of mobile financial services, bought a total of 1. 05m shares in the company at 3. 25p each.
Google faces further EU competition probes
Google is facing further antitrust investigations by the European Union's competition regulator, according to reports of a follow-up probe after charges were made last year.