Market Pulse
Europe close: Stocks finish first week of 2019 higher
Stocks on the Continent managed to finish a volatile first week of trading in 2019 higher, following news that top trade officials from the US and China were set to start formal talks on Monday, Beijing unveiled new stimulus measures, a key report on US jobs came in more than twice as strong as expected - when including revisions - and US central bankers dialed-back on rate hike expectations.
US crude oil inventories little changed last week, DoE says
US crude oil stockpiles were little changed last week, but product inventories jumped, implying "waning" demand, according to analysts.
US non-farm payrolls jump by 312,000, even as unemployment climbs
Hiring in the USA shot higher at the end of 2018 driven by sharp gains on both the goods and services side of the economy, even as wage growth quickened, enticing more Americans to re-enter the work force.
Europe midday: Stocks jump on news of trade talks, China stimulus
Stocks on the Continent are holding near their best levels of the session, helped by a cascade of market-friendly news out of China in the form of fresh economic stimulus and reports that top trade officials from the US and China were set to start formal talks on Monday.
Hunt cautions Russia over UK/US citizen arrested over alleged spying
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned Russia on Friday that “individuals should be not used as pawns in a diplomatic chess game” after US/UK citizen Paul Whelan was detained in Moscow on espionage charges.
London close: Relief-rally kicks-in after China stimulus, US jobs data
London stocks prolonged their recent bounce on Friday, with shares of miners and oil and gas outfits pacing the advance on the back of renewed optimism about Sino-US trade relations, fresh stimulus measures in China and what some market commentators termed a 'blow-out' US non-farm payrolls report for the month of December.
Goldman Sachs adds Netflix to 'conviction buy' list
Following a sell-off that cut the Netflix's value by a third, analysts at Goldman Sachs said the video streaming giant represents one of the most compelling investments available in the tech space.
Broker tips: Glencore, Whitbread, Next
Analysts at UBS lowered their target price on mining giant Glencore on Friday as a result of an uncertain macro environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo following its recent presidential elections.
Sector movers: Oil services and packaging makers lead rise
Oil-related and mining companies were again leading the charge in London on Friday, while supermarkets were one of the few sectors in the red.
Director dealings: Haydale Graphene director lowers stake
Haydale Graphene Industries director Raymond Gibbs sold 80,000 ordinary shares in the global solutions company on Friday.
Buy when others are fearful, BofA-ML says
For the first time since the Brexit vote, it's 'risk-on' time now, strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch said at the end of the week.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally but supermarkets hit by broker notes
London’s FTSE 100 was up 2. 2% at 6,840. 51 in afternoon trade on Friday, pushing further into the green following the release of much strong-than-expected non-farm payrolls.
UBS lowers target for Glencore following woes in DRC and Brazil
Analysts at UBS lowered their target price on mining giant Glencore on Friday as a result of an uncertain macro environment in the Democratic Republic of Congo following its recent presidential elections.
UK CEOs earn 133 times more than average worker
Bosses of blue-chip companies were facing severe scrutiny after 'Fat Cat Friday' figures showed that they earn 133 times more than the average UK worker.
US open: Dow opens 550 points higher on solid jobs report and news of trade talks with China
Wall Street trading began on a positive note at the open on Friday, as investors welcomed signs of progress in Sino-US trade talks and a very solid non-farm payrolls report covering the month of December.
Fed's Mester calls time on interest rate hikes
One of the most 'hawkish' rate-setters at the US central bank called 'time' on the Federal Reserve's campaign of interest rate hikes.
Shop prices jump in December despite seasonal discounting
Shop prices climbed in December as a flurry of festive discounting from retailers was countered by a jump in ambient food prices and slow deflation of general merchandise.
Gresham Technologies earnings slip as projected revenues get pushed into 2019
Software and services outfit Gresham Technologies saw earnings slip in its last trading year as delays in recognising revenue from new projects led to lower than expected licensing fees.
Metals Exploration gets extension to short-term loan conditions
Metals Exploration confirmed it had received an extension to its short term loan with MTL Luxembourg on Friday.
Steve Douglas becomes Arden Partners finance director
Institutional stockbroking company Arden Partners confirmed on Friday that it has received FCA approval for the appointment of Steve Douglas to its board as group finance director.