Market Pulse
Anne Richards steps down from esure board
Anne Richards has stepped down from a non-executive role on insurer esure’s board, following her appointment as chief executive of M&G Investments.
US fourth quarter GDP unexpectedly revised higher
The second estimate of US economic growth in the fourth quarter was unexpectedly revised higher, the Commerce Department revealed on Friday.
UBS under investigation for tax fraud in Belgium
Swiss banking giant UBS is being investigated for money laundering and tax fraud in Belgium.
US pre-open: Markets to end week on a high
US futures were set to finish the week on a high, following cues from Asia and Europe.
Snoozebox non-exec chairman resigns
Snoozebox Holdings' non-executive chairman David Morrison has resigned from the company’s board, while Chris Errington, currently a non-executive Director, has taken up his position.
Friday newspaper share tips: RELX's 'boring reliability' a good reason to buy
“Boring reliability” is the main benefit to holding RELX shares, according to The Times’ Tempus.
S32 set to start building M&A warchest, Citi says
S32 management´s efforts to cut costs and ensure its assets were generating cash received an endorsement from analysts at Citi on Friday.
French consumption rebounds in January
French households´ consumption expanded more strongly than expected in January, boosted by energy purchases and those of household goods.
French fourth quarter GDP growth beats forecasts
France´s economy grew slightly more quickly than expected at the end of 2015, as government spending and investment offset drags from consumption and net exports.
France falls back into deflation in February
The Eurozone´s second largest economy fell back into deflation in February, amid widespread weakness across all categories.
IMI full year profit slumps amid tough trading
FTSE 250 engineering group reported a 34% slump in 2015 pre-tax profit as revenue declined amid tough trading conditions in many of its markets, as clients scaled back orders.
Japanese consumer price inflation falls back in January
Inflation in Japan fell back at the start of the year; although a leading indicator of nationwide price pressures did so by less than was expected.
Sports Direct will no longer draw down from Mike Ashley loan facility
Sports Direct International said on Friday that it will no longer draw down from a £250m loan facility with founder Mike Ashley/Mash holdings following criticism over related party transactions.
Regional data point to downside risks for German CPI in February
Consumer price inflation in the German state of Saxony fell back sharply in February, as a result of still-falling energy prices but also due to a sharp decline in the price of package holidays, pointing to "severe" downside risks to the nation-wide figures which were set for release later in the day, some economists warned.
Economic pessimism may be setting stage for rally in stocks, Citi says
The depth of the negative sentiment surrounding the global economy may presage share price gains are just around the corner, if history is any guide, strategists at Citi said.
Berendsen profit and revenue slip but divi lifted
Berendsen said 2015 pre-tax profit and revenue dropped on the back of adverse currency movements, as the pound strengthened against the currencies in which the group operates in Continental Europe.
UBS reaffirms Lloyds as top-pick, highlights high dividend yield
UBS reaffirmed Lloyd´s Banking Group as its 'top-pick' on Friday thanks to the lender´s capital generation targets, which in its opinion underwrote a dividend yield of over 8% in a Footsie that was "increasingly starved" of payouts.
Promotion for Charles Jacobs on Fresnillo board
Fresnillo announced the promotion of a board member on Friday, saying Charles Jacobs would become a senior independent director.
Eurozone economic confidence deteriorates more than expected
Economic sentiment t in the Eurozone deteriorated more than in expected in February, according to data from the European Commission.
Berenberg initiates coverage of mid-cap drinks makers
Berenberg initiated coverage on the four UK mid-cap soft drinks manufacturers, highlighting a preference for Britvic and Nichols.