Market Pulse
US close: S&P 500 retreats from last week's record close
Stocks were lower at the closing bell on Monday as the S&P 500 came off its third consecutive winning week.
Mondelez exploring Hershey takeover - report
Snacks and sweets company Mondelez International is reportedly exploring an acquisition of US chocolate maker Hershey Co, in a potential deal that would create a food giant with combined sales of almost $5bn.
Broker tips: Berkeley, Marlowe, AJ Bell, Ashtead, Touchstone Exploration
RBC Capital Markets has cut its target price for Berkeley Group and reiterated an 'underperform' rating, saying that while the long-term picture looks intact, it has cut its forecasts for shareholder returns.
Director dealings: Helios Towers director snaps up shares
Helios Towers revealed on Monday that non-executive director Richard Byrne had acquired 217,714 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed telecommunications tower company.
London close: FTSE maintains gains on China stimulus hopes
London's stock markets closed with a mixed performance on Monday, as optimism over potential economic stimulus in China provided a boost to mining stocks.
US open: Stocks lower as S&P 500 comes off third-straight winning week
Major indices were in the red at the opening bell on Monday as the S&P 500 comes off its third consecutive winning week.
Renishaw co-founder Sir David McMurtry dies
Engineering firm Renishaw said on Monday that co-founder and non-executive director Sir David McMurtry has died suddenly.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners gain on China stimulus hopes; Vodafone drops
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 5% at 8,351. 72 in afternoon trade on Monday.
Morgan Stanley upgrades Weir, Spirax to 'overweight'
Morgan Stanley upgraded Weir Group and Spirax on Monday as it took a look at the European capital goods sector.
Canaccord Genuity cuts target price on Touchstone Exploration
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity lowered their target price on oil and gas business Touchstone Exploration from 60. 0p to 90. 0p on Monday but said there was "still plenty of upside" to the stock despite recent changes in production guidance.
Woodbois secures purchase orders as it focuses on efficiency
Woodbois said in an update on Monday that it has secured substantial purchase orders and implemented measures to enhance production continuity and financial efficiency.
Deutsche Bank downgrades Ashtead to ‘hold’
Deutsche Bank downgraded its stance on equipment rental firm Ashtead on Monday to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ as it said the stock was trading close to its 6,500p price target.
EnergyPathways enters strategic partnership with Wood Group
EnergyPathways announced a strategic partnership with Wood Group UK on Monday, to act as the lead engineering partner for its Marram Energy Storage Hub (MESH) project in the UK Irish Sea.
US pre-open: Futures lower as S&P 500 comes off third consecutive winning week
Wall Street futures were in the red ahead of the opening bell on Monday as the S&P 500 comes off its third consecutive winning week.
Shareholder advisory group ISS backs Boohoo in Mike Ashley board spat
Boohoo said on Monday that international shareholder advisory group ISS has recommended that its shareholders vote against resolutions seeking board representation from Mike Ashley’ Frasers Group.
London midday: FTSE maintains gains as China stimulus hopes lift miners
London stocks were still in the black by midday on Monday as hopes of further stimulus in China lifted the mining sector.
Empire Metals reports solid testwork results from Pitfield
Empire Metals has solid exceptional results from metallurgical testwork on titanium-rich heavy mineral concentrates from its Pitfield Project in Western Australia on Monday.
UK labour market conditions continue to deteriorate in November
The KPMG and Recruitment and Employment Confederation's, UK Report on Jobs survey, compiled by S&P Global, pointed to a further deterioration of British labour market conditions during November.
Cirata wins contract renewal with Marvell Semiconductor
Enterprise software developer Cirata revealed on Monday that Marvell Semiconductor has renewed its existing contract for the company's GiT Multisite for Gerrit product for an additional 12 months.
Shore Capital upgrades AJ Bell to ‘buy’ after share price weakness
Shore Capital upgraded AJ Bell on Monday to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ following share price weakness.