Market Pulse
Merck to buy Antelliq Group for EUR2.1bn
Merck has agreed to buy privately-held French digital animal identification, traceability and monitoring solutions company Antelliq Group from funds advised by BC Partners for €2. 1bn in cash.
Go-Ahead wins first contract in Australia
Transport operator Go-Ahead Group said on Friday that it has won its first contract in Australia.
Asia report: Markets finish weaker as China data disappoints
Markets in Asia finished lower on Friday, as investors waded through a tsunami of disappointing data from China.
Balfour Beatty expects to beat full year targets
Balfour Beatty said its performance for the year will be above previous expectations after sales of its interests in two infrastructure projects exceed directors' valuations.
Block Energy makes decent recovery at West Rustavi
Georgia-focussed exploration and production company Block Energy announced on Friday that more than 200 barrels of oil had been recovered from the legacy vertical well 16a at its West Rustavi permit during a 10 hour flow period.
RiverFort invests further in income-generating assets
RiverFort updated the market on its investment activity on Friday, reporting that since its third quarter update on 15 November, it had continued to be active in deploying its capital in RiverFort-arranged investments.
Richard Berliand to chair TP ICAP board from May
TP ICAP announced on Friday that Richard Berliand would join its board as a non-executive director and chairman-designate during the first quarter of 2019.
TomCo raises £550,000 to further Uintah Basin assets
Shale oil exploration business TomCo raised £550,000 by way of a placing on Friday morning, allowing the group to further operations at its Holliday Block asset.
Gfinity scores FIFA 19 tournament deal
E-sports provider Gfinity has inked a deal with EA Sports to host four events for the video game developer as part of its 2019 Global Series.
Altona Energy progresses with South Australian pyrolysis deal
Mining and exploration company Altona Energy has taken its first steps to utilise its recently granted exclusive licence of pyrolysis developer Leinad's technology in Australia and China.
London midday: Stocks and sterling drop as Brexit, China woes weigh
London stocks were still in the red by midday on Friday following the release of weak Chinese data and after Theresa May returned home from her EU charm offensive empty-handed.
Ofgem calls for changes from SSE Orkney link
The UK energy regulator has provided some constructive criticism of SSE's planned new electricity link connecting wind farms and tidal power projects on the island of Orkney.
ReNeuron narrows losses as development programmes continue
Cell-based therapeutics developer ReNeuron Group issued its interim results for the six months ended 30 September on Friday, reporting a reduced loss for the period of £5. 32m, from £9. 57m year-on-year.
AO World announces another delay to Mobile Phones Direct acquisition
AO World updated the market on its acquisition of Mobile Phones Direct on Friday, with a further delay to the transaction’s expected completion date.
US pre-open: Stocks seen lower after weak Chinese data
US stocks looked set for losses at the open on Friday, taking their cue from declines across the pond following the release of weak Chinese data.
Firestone Diamonds recovers 46 carat white diamond
Firestone Diamonds has recovered a 46 carat white, makeable diamond from its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho.
LVMH to buy luxury hotel group Belmond
French luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has agreed to buy Belmond, the owner of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, in a $2. 6bn deal.
Science Group takes itself off market amid Brexit uncertainties
Science Group terminated its formal sale process on Friday, citing uncertainties related to the UK's exit from the EU.
Ebiquity appoints Alan Newman as chief financial and operating officer
Media and marketing consultancy Ebiquity has appointed Alan Newman as its new chief financial and operating officer.
South Western Railway staff to hold two more strikes in December
Long-suffering commuters in London, Surrey and the South of England were handed a dose of Christmas misery on Thursday evening, as the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) confirmed two more 24-hour strikes on South Western Railway (SWR) would go ahead during December.