Market Pulse
US close: Stocks close higher on hopes of improving US-Sino relations
US stocks ended the session higher on Monday as investors awaited the outcome of the latest round of trade talks between the US and China.
UBS lowers price target on Dunelm following 'cautious' outlook
Analysts at UBS lowered their target price on British home furnishings retailer Dunelm on Monday, noting that management had sounded a note of caution about full year results due to “unprecedented” uncertainty caused by Brexit despite good momentum and softer comparatives.
Europe close: Rally pauses ahead of China-US trade talks
European stocks gave back some of Friday's gains as investors eyed the latest trade talks between the US and China.
Tuesday preview: Parliament and Morrisons in the spotlight
All eyes will be on Parliament today, with MPs set to vote on two ammendments to the Finance Bill which may result in gridlock in Whitehall, by forcing the Prime Minister to obtain their approval on any deal as well as any 'no deal' by in effect taking away the Treasury's no-deal powers.
London close: Stocks start week on a mixed note, trade talks in focus
London stocks finished the first session of the week on a mixed note, with tobacco shares dragged lower by a broker downgrade, but retailer Dunelm sharply higher after a well-received trading update.
Broker tips: Petrofac, Centrica, Hargreaves Lansdown, St James's Place, Standard Life Aberdeen
Jefferies energy analyst team giveth and it taketh away on Monday, upgrading Petrofac and downgrading Centrica.
Anglo African Oil & Gas confirms 'fantastic' discoveries at Congo project
Anglo African Oil & Gas plummeted on Monday despite a “fantastic” series of discoveries at its Tilapia licence in the Republic of the Congo.
US open: Small gains at the bell ahead of Sino-US trade talks
Wall Street trading began with some small gains on Monday as investors awaited the outcome of the latest round of trade talks between the US and China.
Director dealings: Aberdeen Asian Income Fund director ups stake
Aberdeen Asian Income Fund non-executive director Nicky McCabe purchased 5,000 ordinary shares in the London-listed equity investment outfit.
Week ahead: Trade talks, Fedspeak in focus
The market spotlight over the coming week will be firmly on the US and China, as officials from both countries meet in Beijing to discuss trade.
Jefferies downgrades Centrica, lifts Petrofac
Jefferies energy analyst team giveth and it taketh away on Monday, upgrading Petrofac and downgrading Centrica.
AstraZeneca announces structural changes, hires Jose Baselga
AstraZeneca announced a number of organisational changes on Monday, which it said would support its “continued scientific innovation” and commercial success in the main therapy areas as it entered a new phase in its strategic development.
Deutsche Bank downgrades Hargreaves, Standard Life Aberdeen
Deutsche Bank downgraded a series of stocks on Monday as it cut its stance on European insurers to 'neutral' from 'overweight'.
Churchill China ends year ahead of expectations
Performance ceramic products manufacturer Churchill China updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 December on Monday, reporting that it had made “substantial progress” against its strategic objectives for the year.
OptiBiotix partners with Zeon Lifesciences for India market
Life sciences business OptiBiotix Health has entered into an exclusive manufacturing and supply agreement with Zeon Lifesciences, it announced on Monday.
ISM non-manufacturing index drops to five-month low
Activity in the US services sector deteriorated more than expected in December, according to data released on Monday.
FTSE 100 movers: Dunelm boosts retailers but Centrica hit by downgrade
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 6% to 6,797. 85 in afternoon trade on Monday as investors eyed the latest trade talks between the US and China.
US tobacco volume declines to steepen, reckons Cowen
Tumultuous times in the tobacco industry are far from over, warned analysts at Cowen on Monday as they downgraded British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands.
Eagle Eye signs five-year contract with Waitrose
SaaS technology company Eagle Eye has signed a new five-year contract with Waitrose & Partners.
Eli Lilly to expand cancer portfolio with $8bn Loxo Oncology acquisition
Eli Lilly has agreed to buy Loxo Oncology for approximately $8bn (£6. 2bn) in cash, broadening its portfolio of cancer treatments.