Market Pulse
London midday: Stocks flat ahead of holiday-shortened session Stateside
Stocks in London continued to trade near the unchanged mark midway through the session, amid exceedingly light trading volumes as US markets would only be open for a half day.
Actelion surges on Johnson & Johnson bid report
Actelion surged on Friday following a report that US healthcare group Johnson & Johnson has made a takeover bid for the Swiss biotechnology company.
Unilever to appeal Brazilian court ruling
Unilever plans to appeal an adverse ruling by the Brazilian Supreme Court.
Stratex chairman Christopher Hall to step down
AIM-listed exploration and development company Stratex announced the retirement of its chairman Christopher Hall with effect from 31 December.
Europe midday: Stocks slip amid thin volumes
European stocks edged lower as oil prices declined in fairly quiet trade, with US markets set to open for just a half day later.
Coca-Cola workers in China strike as US company sells bottling assets
Workers in three Chinese cities are on strike after Coca-Cola announced that it would sell its bottling assets in the country to Hong Kong conglomerate Swire Pacific and state-owned Cofco Corporation.
UK retail sales beat expectations in November
Retail sales in the UK grew at the fastest pace in over a year in the 12 months to November, according to the latest quarterly Distributive Trades Survey from the Confederation of British Industry.
Fastjet shares dive after chairman resigns
Africa’s low-cost airline Fastjet tanked in early markets after its chairman resigned due to the company requiring further capital.
ECB should not be charged with budget surveillance, Weidmann says
The European Commission should not be responsible for surveillance of member countries´ budgets, a top European Central bank official said.
US pre-open: Stocks seen touch higher; retailers eyed on Black Friday
US futures pointed to a marginally higher start on Wall Street, where volumes are expected to be light, with many traders unlikely to return to their desks until Monday following the Thanksgiving holiday.
UK Q3 GDP confirmed at 0.5%
Growth in the UK economy was in line with expectations in the third quarter, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics.
CloudTag signs deal with US sales and marketing partner
AIM-listed CloudTag has signed an agreement with US distributor CITIES Market Studios to act as its sole and exclusive sales representative.
Canaccord upgrades Domino´s Pizza from hold to buy
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity lifted their recommendation on Domino´s Pizza from 'hold' to 'buy' after the company reassured them at its Investor Day 'that it can continue to deliver', although the menu was changing.
Core Japanese CPI falls in October, as expected
Consumer prices in Japan continued falling for an eighth consecutive month in October.
Liberum upgrades AstraZeneca to 'buy' from 'hold'
Liberum upgraded AstraZeneca to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’.
Former PM Major says second referendum on Brexit is "perfectly credible"
Sir John Major has defended those who have called for a second referendum on Brexit, saying that the case for another vote is "perfectly credible".
Europe open: Stocks edge lower in quiet trade
European stocks edged lower as oil prices declined in fairly quiet trade, with US markets set to open for just a half day later.
London open: GDP data in focus
Stocks in London were trading slightly higher ahead of the release of revised UK GDP data, with trading volumes expected to be light again as US markets will only be open for a half day.
Lamprell wins North Sea wind farm project
Lamprell has been awarded a new contract from ScottishPower Renewables for the fabrication of multiple jackets and piles for the East Anglia One offshore wind farm in the southern North Sea.
Barclays downgrades Daily Mail to 'underweight'
Barclays downgraded Daily Mail & General Trust to ‘underweight’ from ‘equalweight’ and cut the price target to 705p from 715p.