Market Pulse
US open: Stocks decline as Chinese data disappoints
US stocks were in the red after worse-than-expected Chinese trade data.
Thomas Cook extends ban on Sharm el-Sheikh flights
Tour operator Thomas Cook has extended its ban on flights to Egyptian tourist spot Sharm el-Sheikh until the end of October.
Chinese exports shrink rapidly in February, but economists optimistic
China's trade surplus shrank far more quickly in February than markets had anticipated, but some economists cautioned the data was still subject to distortions linked to the Chinese New Year, even as they pointed out signs of underlying strength.
Tesco stopping the rot as Sainsbury's strong run continues, Kantar says
Sainsbury's was the only one of the Big Four supermarkets to enjoy increased spending in the last three months, though Tesco halved its sales decline, according to data from Kantar Worldpanel.
Quantum Pharma promotes Chris Rigg to CFO
AIM-listed niche pharmaceutical manufacturer Quantum Pharma has promoted Chris Rigg to the role of chief financial officer.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners slump on China data; Burberry in fashion
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 4% to 6,161. 02 at 1410 GMT, with miners suffering the brunt of the losses following soft Chinese data.
Fortescue, Vale forge £680m iron pact
As iron ore prices saw record gains early in the week, Australian miner Fortescue Metals Group formed a deal with the world's largest producer - Brazil-based Vale.
John Laing grows NAV by 15%, proposes 5.3p final dividend
John Laing Group has proposed a final dividend of 5. 3p per share after the infrastructure investor increased net asset value 15. 4% in 2015.
Foxtons full year profit hit by London slowdown
Estate agency Foxtons posted a drop in full year pre-tax profit as the Central London market from which it generates a significant proportion of its revenues remained challenging.
Berenberg downgrades Millennium & Copthorne after "weak" results
Berenberg downgraded Millennium & Copthorne Hotels to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’ and chopped the price target to 340p from 470p following the company’s “weak” full year results.
Barclays investors said to demand talks over dividend cut
Some of Barclays’ leading investors are reportedly set to demand talks with the bank’s top independent director, Sir Gerry Grimstone, over its decision to slash its dividend this year and the next.
GSK reveals "significant improvement" in Nucala severe asthma tests
GlaxoSmithKline has reported encouraging data on the effect of its Nucala drug on severe asthma sufferers.
Audioboom posts wider full year loss
Shares in AIM-listed Audioboom slid on Tuesday after it posted a wider full year loss for 2015.
Beales seeking rent reduction on loss-making stores
Another department store chain has announced plans to enter into a company voluntary arrangement, less than a week after British Home Stores announced similar proposals.
US pre-open: Stocks set for weaker start after soft China data
Wall Street looked set for a weaker open on Tuesday as oil prices retreated and soft Chinese data weighed on sentiment.
Goldman Sachs sees iron ore prices headed lower in 2016
Commodity markets had gotten ahead of themselves as investors' views on reflation, realignment and re-levering shifted towards the upside, that resulted in a "premature" surge in commodity prices that would prove 'self-defeating' in so far as it risked prolonging the re-balancing process, Goldman Sachs said in a research note sent to clients.
Europe midday: Stocks in the red as basic resources drop
European stocks fell on Tuesday, with basic resources suffering the brunt of the losses following disappointing data from China.
Worldpay shares slump on maiden results
Market newcomer Worldpay published an impressive set of maiden results on Tuesday, though investors were not so keen on the company's ability to keep up with expectations going forward.
Liberum downgrades Fastjet on short-term challenges
Liberum downgraded African budget airline Fastjet to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ and slashed the price target to 45p from 90p following a “disappointing” trading update, which has led the brokerage to cut its 2016 and 2017 forecasts.