Market Pulse
London close: Stocks higher amid Korean political turmoil
London’s equity markets closed higher on Tuesday as upbeat sentiment in the retail and travel sectors buoyed investors, with the world’s attention on sudden political instability in South Korea.
Broker tips: Ashtead, DiscoverIE, Direct Line Insurance
RBC Capital Markets upgraded equipment rental firm Ashtead on Tuesday to 'outperform' from 'sector perform' and hiked its price target on the stock to 7,450. 0p from 5,200. 0p.
FTSE 100 movers: EasyJet, oil giants gain ground
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 5% at 8,356. 50 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
Director dealings: Telecom Plus chairman raises stake
Telecom Plus revealed on Tuesday that chairman Charles Wigoder had acquired 200,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed utilities supplier.
Vianet returns to profits, reinstates dividend
Hospitality, vending and remote asset management data specialist Vianet Group reported a strong half-year financial and operational performance on Tuesday, as it returned to profitability, reinstated its interim dividend, and reaffirmed its confidence in achieving full-year growth targets.
US job openings rise to 7.74m in October
US job openings rose to 7. 74m in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, up from a downwardly revised 7. 37m in September and above market expectations for a reading of 7. 48m.
US open: Dow Jones extends losses at the bell
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start on Tuesday after both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite registered fresh record highs in December's maiden session.
OptiBiotix to launch new range with India partner
OptiBiotix Health announced the upcoming launch of ‘SlimBiome’-containing products in India under Dr Morepen's new ‘LightLife’ brand on Tuesday.
Marston's upbeat as full-year profits rise
Pub group Marston’s reported a rise in full-year profit and revenue on Tuesday as it struck an upbeat note about the outlook.
On The Beach reinstates dividend, announces £25m share buyback
On The Beach surged on Tuesday after the package holiday firm reinstated its dividend and announced a £25m share buyback as it posted a rise in full-year profit and revenue.
RBC Capital upgrades Ashtead to ‘outperform’, hikes price target
RBC Capital Markets upgraded equipment rental firm Ashtead on Tuesday to ‘outperform’ from ‘sector perform’ and hiked the price target to 7,450p from 5,200p.
US pre-open: Futures muted following S&P 500's record close
Wall Street futures were pointing to a somewhat muted open ahead of the bell on Tuesday after the S&P 500 registered a fresh record close in December's maiden session.
Lexington Gold reports progress on Ventersburg Project
Lexington Gold reported progress at its Ventersburg Gold Project in South Africa's Free State Province on Tuesday, located in the Witwatersrand Basin - a region responsible for around 40% of the world’s gold production to date.
London midday: Stocks maintain gains; retail sales in focus
London stocks were still in the black by midday on Tuesday as investors mulled the latest UK retail sales data and with easyJet flying high on the back of upbeat broker notes.
Cadence Minerals shares jump on latest Amapa update
Cadence Minerals announced a significant update to the pre-feasibility study for the Amapá Iron Ore Project in northern Brazil on Tuesday, increasing the project’s post-tax net present value (NPV) by 73% to $1. 97bn.
Berenberg raises target price on Direct Line following Aviva takeover bid
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on Direct Line Insurance from 215. 0p to 270. 0p on Tuesday following Aviva's non-binding 250. 0p per share offer for the group.
Asia report: Most markets rise as Korean inflation edged higher
Asia-Pacific markets broadly advanced on Tuesday, buoyed by record highs on Wall Street overnight, as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set new peaks.
Hutchmed endometrial cancer treatment gets conditional approval in China
Hutchmed China and its partner Innovent Biologics announced conditional approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the combination of ‘Elunate’, or fruquintinib, and ‘Tyvyt’, or sintilimab injection, to treat advanced endometrial cancer with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) tumours.
Greatland Gold executes AUD 100m syndicated facility agreement
Greatland Gold announced the execution of an AUD 100m (£51. 22m) syndicated facility agreement with ANZ, HSBC, and ING on Tuesday, enhancing its financial flexibility following the recent acquisition of the Telfer gold-copper mine and related assets from Newmont Corporation.
Wizz Air passenger numbers rise in November
Budget carrier Wizz Air reported a 1. 7% year-on-year jump in passenger numbers for November and a modest uptick in load factor on Tuesday.