Market Pulse
Man Group rides out volatile first quarter
Thanks to a £0. 5bn net inflow into its raft of hedge funds, Man Group was able to report that funds under management shrank only very slightly in a volatile first quarter of 2016 for global markets.
London midday: Stocks slide as China's economic growth slows
UK stocks were in the red on Friday as data showed China’s economic growth slowed in the first quarter and as oil prices declined.
Europe midday: Stocks slip as caution creeps in ahead of Doha meeting
European stocks fell on Friday as caution crept in ahead of this weekend’s meeting of oil producers in Doha, and investors digested some key data releases out of China.
Impressive growth at rapidly expanding PureGym
Budget gymnasium chain PureGym reported 2015 revenues of £125m on Friday - an improvement of 82% over 2014, in a year in which the group pushed ahead with serious expansion.
Five arrested on suspicion of terror-related activities
Five people have been arrested on suspicion of terror-related activities following an investigation involving MI5 and French and Belgian authorities.
Bats Global Markets prices IPO at top end of range
Bats Global Markets, an operator of exchanges and services for financial markets, has priced its initial public offering at $19. 00 per share – the higher end of the $17. 00 to $19. 00 price range – raising $252. 7m.
US pre-open: Stocks seen touch lower as investors eye Citigroup
US futures pointed to a marginally weaker open on Wall Street, with oil prices in the red ahead of this weekend’s meeting of oil producers in Doha, and as investors awaited the latest earnings from banking heavyweight Citigroup.
Goldman's Blankfein said to embark on biggest cost-cutting push in years
Goldman Sachs is reportedly kicking off its biggest cost-cutting push in years as it looks to combat a slump in trading and deal-making.
Asia report: Markets mixed after China GDP data
Asian markets ended the week mixed on Friday, in a somewhat muted reaction to China’s GDP numbers for the first quarter, which were in line with forecasts.
EU new car sales up in March but VW loses market share
New car sales in the European Union rose 6% in March to 1. 7m units, according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
UK construction output dips in February
Output in the UK construction industry dipped 0. 3% in February compared with the previous month, falling short of expectations for no change, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Spain's industry minister steps down after Panama papers leak
Spain’s industry minister stepped down following a newspaper reports linking him to the controversial Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.
Circle Oil secures extension to debt waivers
AIM-listed oil and gas exploration company Circle Oil said on Friday that the International Finance Corporation has agreed to extend the suspension of repayments due under the group’s reserve based lending facility.
London open: Stocks fall as China economic growth slows
London stocks declined on Friday as China’s economic growth slowed further in the first quarter.
Berenberg downgrades Mothercare on international weakness
Berenberg downgraded Mothercare to ‘sell’ from ‘hold’ and slashed the price target to 130p from 250p following the company’s update on Thursday.
ShoreCap hails strong Q1 net inflows at Man Group
Shares in Man Group are significantly undervalued, analysts at Shore Capital argued following the company’s first quarter update.
JPMorgan cuts InterContinental Hotels to 'underweight'
JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded InterContinental Hotels Group to ‘underweight’ from ‘neutral’ but lifted the price target to 2,865p from 2,750p as it took at the European hotels sector.
Europe open: Stocks nudge lower as investors digest China data
European stocks nudged lower in early trade as investors digested some key data releases out of China and looked ahead to this weekend’s meeting of oil producers in Doha.
Poundland slumps to new low after HSBC downgrade
HSBC downgraded Poundland to 'hold' from 'buy' and slashed its target price to 160p from 290p after disappointingly slow growth in core trading with no recovery expected until the second half of 2017.
Seasonal downturn, lower grades hit Polymetal
A seasonal downturn and declines in grade saw volumes and sales take a hit at Polymetal in the first quarter, it revealed in a production update on Friday.