Market Pulse
Black Friday not the cheapest day of the year, says Which
Almost half of electricals products ‘on offer’ during Black Friday promotions in the UK are actually cheaper in the months before or after the much-hyped discount day, according to an investigation.
FX roundup: Sterling softens on surprise UK inflation drop; US rates in focus
Sterling was lower across most of the board on Tuesday afternoon, its spiral south sparked by an unexpected fall in UK consumer prices earlier in the session.
Directors dealings: Computacenter chairman stocks up
Computacenter's non-executive chairman bought into the shares of the IT infrastructure services provider again, picking up 10,000 shares at an individual price of 721p on 14 November, the company said in a statement.
Macquarie raises copper price forecasts, boosts target prices for miners
Analysts at Macquarie hiked their target prices for a raft of miners due to the "acute" sensitivity of the pure copper plays and the majors to the price of that metal.
London close: Tesco paces gains as sales accelerate
Stocks in London finished higher as the pound slid back against the dollar after data showed consumer prices unexpectedly dropped in October.
Europe close: Stocks rise even after German GDP misses forecasts
European equity markets finished at their best levels of the day as oil prices rose and German investor confidence improved, although growth figures for Europe's largest economy fell short of expectations.
Commodities: Crude charges north on hopes of OPEC output cut
Crude oil futures are charging more than 3% higher on Tuesday afternoon amid renewed hopes and some jawboning on whether cartel OPEC will cut output when it meets later this month, helping to alleviate the chronic global supply glut.
FTSE 250 movers: Oil services stocks bounce, Kaz knocked off high
The FTSE 250 index was on the up again on Tuesday, rising almost 0. 5% to over 17,550 by mid-afternoon as oil-related stocks inflated on hopes of more oil price gains.
US open: Markets mixed as December Fed rate hike seems likely
US equities were mixed on Tuesday as oil prices surged over 3%, while data pointed to firmer household spending, which could increase the likelihood of a rate hike from the Federal Reserve.
FTSE 100 movers: Easyjet soars but copper miners dive
The FTSE 100 rose 0. 78% to 6,805. 84 in late afternoon trade.
Premier Foods underlying profit falls on grocery difficulties
Premier Foods posted its half-year results for the 26 weeks to 1 October on Tuesday, with group underlying sales down 1. 8% due to a 4% decline in grocery sales, though that was partly offset by good performance in the sweet treats division of 4. 1%.
IGas Energy gets OK for Nottinghamshire shale gas exploration
Shale gas developer IGas Energy has been granted planning consent by Nottinghamshire County Council to drill two exploratory wells in Misson Springs, North Nottinghamshire.
Results round-up
Budget airline EasyJet reported a drop in profit and revenue for the year to the end of September and cut its dividend as it took a hit from terrorist attacks and as the UK’s decision to leave the European Union made the euro more expensive for British travellers over the summer.
Lavendon lifts expectations after third quarter
Powered access equipment rental company Lavendon Group issued a trading update for the nine months to 30 September on Tuesday, with the board saying it remained confident of delivering results for the full year marginally ahead of its original expectations.
Productivity growth to slow as Britain exits EU, says BoE's McCafferty
Productivity growth is likely to weaken while the economy adjusts to leaving the European Union, a Bank of England committee member said on Tuesday.
Liontrust profit plummets in first half
Independent fund management group Liontrust Asset Management announced its half yearly report for the six months to 30 September on Tuesday, with revenues of £22m - an increase of 18% compared to the same period last year.
Electric Word sells loss-making speech and language therapy publisher
Electric Word has sold the trade and certain assets of its loss-making speech and language therapy publishing business for £1. 85m.
Oxford Instruments swings to a loss in the first half
High technology tools and systems provider Oxford Instruments announced its half year results for the six months to 30 September on Tuesday, with revenue up 4. 1% to £171. 5m compared to the first half of last year.
Interserve gets termination notice on Glasgow energy project
International support services and construction group Interserve has been served notice of the termination on its Glasgow Recycling & Renewable Energy project by Viridor.
AdEPT Telecom boosts earnings with acquisitions
Independent telecommunications integrator and managed service provider AdEPT Telecom announced its unaudited results for the six months to 30 September on Tuesday, with total revenue increasing by 19% to £16. 5m over the same period last year.