Market Report
Europe open: Stocks start week on strong note after French elections
European stocks have started the session on the front-foot amid investor optimism after France's new centrist party En Marche! and its centre-right allies garnered a comfortable majority in the country's parliamentary elections at the weekend.
Hansteen pockets €750m as sale of German, Dutch assets completes
Hansteen was cashed up to the tune of an extra €750m on Monday, confirming that the proposed sale of its German and Dutch portfolios to entities owned by funds advised by affiliates of The Blackstone Group and M7 Real Estate had now completed.
Monday newspaper round-up: brutal Brexit, soft Brexit, boomer boost, Co-op
European leaders fear that Theresa May’s government is too fragile to negotiate viable terms on which to leave the union, meaning the discussions that officially begin on Monday could end in a “brutal Brexit” – under which talks collapse without any deal. As officials began gathering in Brussels on Sunday night, the long-awaited start of negotiations was overshadowed by political chaos back in Westminster, where chancellor Philip Hammond warned that failing to strike a deal would be “a very, very bad outcome”.
Bonmarche FY profit slumps nearly 40%
Clothing retailer Bonmarche reported a near-40% drop in full-year pre-tax profit as it highlighted a more challenging backdrop than it had been expecting, with wage inflation, Brexit and unseasonal weather all contributing factors.
BNN Technology signs three-year deal with Zhejiang Xinhua
AIM-listed Chinese technology, content and services company BNN Technology has signed a three-year cooperation agreement with Zhejiang Xinhua to create a student services platform in China encompassing recruitment, financial services and funding for student innovation and enterprise.
Avanti Communications signs $4.5m deal with mobility customer
AIM-listed provider of satellite data communications services Avanti Communications has signed a $4. 5m two-year contract to deploy capacity from its HYLAS fleet to a new customer in the mobility market.
Workspace sells last phase of Bow Enterprise Park
Workspace Group announced the exchange of contracts for the disposal of the third and final phase of the mixed-use redevelopment of Bow Enterprise Park, London E3 on Monday.
Workspace sells final phase of Bow Enterprise Park, Cairn Energy seeking $1bn in damages
London open.
London pre-open: Stocks seen higher ahead of Brexit talks
London stocks were set for a positive open on Monday, taking their cue from an upbeat session in Asia as Brexit negotiations were due to start.
SFO to make decision in Barclays case as soon as Tuesday, reports say
Regulators were expected to announce as soon as Tuesday whether they had decided to bring criminal charges against some bankers at Barclays in relation to its emergency fundraising at the height of the financial crisis, according to reports.