Market Pulse
UK consumer inflation expectations slow
British consumers expect prices of goods and services to rise more slowly during the next 12 months, with a Bank of England survey finding public expectations of UK inflation have fallen to 1. 8% from the previous 2%.
London midday: Oil price rally bolsters equities
UK equities advanced on Friday as oil prices rose and the European Central Bank’s new stimulus package gave investor confidence a boost.
Europe midday: Banks pace the advance on ECB stimulus
European stocks bounced back on Friday, with banks leading the charge as investors reassessed the implications of the European Central Bank’s latest stimulus measures.
Scancell skips higher on Swedish research collaboration
Immuno-oncology specialist Scancell has impressed investors with a new research partnership with Sweden's Karolinska Institutet into the role of citrullinated proteins in the treatment of cancer.
French auditor deals blow to EDF's Hinkley Point plans
France's public auditor has raised concern over EDF's plans to build two new nuclear reactors in Britain, citing disappointment from the company's other recent foreign investment.
Shell said to appoint Lazard to advise on asset sales
Royal Dutch Shell has reportedly appointed investment bank Lazard to advise the oil giant on a $30bn asset sale programme following its acquisition of BG Group.
Next Fifteen snaps up content marketing specialist
Marketing and public relations group Next Fifteen has acquired specialist technical content marketing specialist Publitek, which focuses on the global semiconductor and electronics markets, for an initial £6. 2m mostly in cash.
Alpha Pyrenees posts 2015 loss after selling majority of portfolio
Alpha Pyrenees Trust posted a loss for 2015 after disposing of most of its its portfolio.
UK trade gap narrows but EU trade deficit hits record high
The UK trade deficit narrowed slightly in January, data from the Office for National Statistics showed, with a record level of UK traded goods deficit with EU in January adding fuel to the Brexit debate.
UK construction output slips surprisingly sharply
UK construction output surprisingly slipped 0. 2% in January compared with December, data from the Office for National Statistics showed on Friday, well short of analysts' forecasts for a 0. 3% rise.
Asia report: Markets reverse losses to end week on a high
Stocks in Asia reversed their losses to close the week mostly higher on Friday, with investors there waking up to fresh stimulus announcements from the European Central Bank overnight.
Imagination Technologies surges on N+1 Singer upgrade
Imagination Technologies surged on Friday after N+1 Singer upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 191p from 151p following a visit to the company’s headquarters in Kings Langley.
SThree first quarter gross profit up 10%
Recruiter SThree reported a jump in first quarter gross profit despite weakness in the energy division.
BofA Merill downgrades M&S as apparel recovery remains "elusive"
Bank of America Merrill Lynch downgraded Marks & Spencer to ‘underperform’ from ‘neutral’ and slashed the price target to 385p from 480p saying a recovery in apparel remains elusive.
Exane downgrades Anglo American, Antofagasta on valuation
Exane BNP Paribas downgraded Anglo American to ‘underperform’ from ‘neutral’ on valuation grounds and to reflect challenges associated with restructuring plans.
Europe open: Stocks bounce back as investors continue to digest ECB measures
European stocks pushed higher in early trade, rebounding from the previous session’s losses as investors continued to assess the implications of the European Central Bank’s latest stimulus measures.
London open: Stocks gain after ECB stimulus boost
UK stocks rallied on Friday as investors continued to digest the European Central Bank’s bigger-than-anticipated stimulus package.
Old Mutual confirms plans to separate four businesses
Along with preliminary results for calendar 2015, Old Mutual Group announced it will separate its four underlying businesses - Old Mutual Emerging Markets (OMEM), Nedbank, Old Mutual Wealth (OMW) and OM Asset Management (OMAM).
Petrofac secures $250m North Sea contract
FTSE 250 oil services group Petrofac has secured a five-year contract worth around $250m (£175m) to act as duty holder supporting Anasuria Operating Company, which is a joint venture between Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad and Ping Petroleum.
Circassia Pharmacuticals reports first revenue
Circassia Pharmaceuticals became a revenue-making business in 2015, and was making firm progress on a number of its products under development, it reported in its preliminary results on Friday.