Market Pulse
US labour costs increased by less than expected in the fourth quarter
US labour productivity shrank by less than economists had feared at the end of 2015, helping to cap increases in unit labour costs.
Sainsbury reserves right not to proceed with formal bid for Home Retail
Sainsbury cautioned investors it might not go ahead with a formal bid for Home Retail Group.
Friday preview: LSE reports full year results with merger talks in focus
The London Stock Exchange’s (LSE) full year results on Thursday will be closely scrutinised by analysts who will be particularly interested in any further information on its merger talks.
FTSE 250 movers: Aggreko powers ahead but Cobham skids
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 2% to 16,757. 03 at 1355 GMT, in line with fairly muted trading in other markets as investors kept to the sidelines ahead of Friday’s US nonfarm payrolls report.
JP Morgan goes underweight on US stocks
JP Morgan has recommended clients go 'underweight' on stocks and as it sees an eventual recession bringing US stocks down some 30%.
Carillion shares jump on strong revenue growth
Investors appeared more than pleased with Carillion's 2015 results on Thursday, with shares in the facilities management and construction services company experiencing a healthy rise after it posted strong growth amid muted trading.
US will not fall into recession in 2016, but might come close in 2017, UBS says
The US economy was not on course to fall into recession in 2016, but under certain circumstances the risk of such an event in 2017 might rise significantly, UBS told clients.
Shore Capital says get Shawbrook while it's hot
Shore Capital has reiterated its 'buy' rating on challenger Shawbrook Bank on its belief the valuation of the specialist lenders sub-sector is wrong, with Shawbrook being valued at 10 times earnings despite 20% EPS growth forecast.
Aggreko 2015 profit drops as it warns over first half
FTSE 250 temporary power provider Aggreko reported a drop in profit for 2015 and warned profit was likely to be lower in the first half of this year due to the timing of contract start and end dates.
Mastercard said to plan £1bn Vocalink takeover bid
US-based credit card issuer Mastercard has reportedly drawn up secret pans for a takeover of international payment systems provider Vocalink.
US jobless claims unexpectedly rise
The number of first time unemployment benefits claimants in the US unexpectedly rose last week, according to data from the Department of Labor.
Shawbrook beats forecasts and plays down BTL worries
Shawbrook Bank's first final results since its flotation last April showed underlying profits ahead of forecasts and confidence brimming for the years ahead.
The end is nigh for debt-fueled economic growth, Gross warns
Negative interest rates, central banks' quantitative easing and more cumbersome regulations will squeeze profits at financial companies, Bill Gross told clients in his latest monthly outlook, threatening the credit-fueled expansion of the last almost half-century.
AO World's chairman Richard Rose steps down
AO World’s non-executive chairman Richard Rose has decided to step down from the online retailer after eight years, the company announced on Thursday.
Oil and gas sector's liquidity stress deteriorates to "worst-ever level", Moody's says
Liquidity stress in the oil and gas sector, as measured by Moody’s, has deteriorated to levels last seen in 2009; the worst on record since the ratings agency began researching the issue.
US pre-open: Futures point to flat open ahead of jobs report
US futures pointed to a broadly unchanged open on Wall Street following two days of gains, with investors likely to refrain from making any big bets either way ahead of Friday’s all-important nonfarm payrolls.
Vesuvius posts weaker earnings amid depressed metals markets
A tough year for commodities markets had an effect on Vesuvius, with the company claiming strength as it reported weaker earnings for 2015 on Thursday.
BHP Billiton hit by Moody's downgrade with 'negative' outlook
Ratings agency Moody's has downgraded BHP Billiton and its subsidiaries to A3 from A1, with a ‘negative’ outlook.
Europe midday: Stocks waver following five days of gains
European stocks wavered on Thursday, with investors pausing for breath after five consecutive days of gains and ahead of a key US jobs report.
US DoJ asks UBM for more detail on PR Newswire
The US Justice Department has asked UBM for additional information and documentary material relating to certain PR Newswire (PRN) products in relation to its sale of PRN to software company Cision.