Market Report
Week ahead: Parliament to vote on EU Withdrawal bill
Markets' attention will be squarely on the vote in Parliament on the Prime Minister's proposed withdrawal plan and given the very high probability that it will be summarily dismissed by MPs, on Theresa May's reaction.
Europe close: Stocks dip amid recession jitters
Stocks on the Continent finished the session slightly lower, although a dip in the single currency helped buoy share prices even as analysts mulled the risk of technical recessions in Germany and Italy at the end of 2018.
London close: Stocks dip as pound gains altitude on talk of Brexit delay
London stocks dipped on Friday, erasing earlier gains as sterling shot up on hopes of a Brexit delay, as investors mulled over a raft of data releases.
Huawei employee arrested in Poland on spying charges
A Huawei employee was arrested on Tuesday by Polish counterintelligence agents over alleged spying activities, according to Poland’s TVP.
Director dealings: Hilton Foods chairman lowers stake
Hilton Food chairman Robert Watson disposed of 50,000 ordinary shares in the FTSE 250-listed producer on Friday.
BMW sales rise 1.1% in 2018
The BMW Group announced on Friday it had achieved its eighth consecutive annual sales record with a total of 2,490,664 (+1. 1%) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce delivered around the world in 2018.
US open: Stocks slide lower following latest inflation report
US stocks edged lower at the open on Friday as investors thumbed over an in-line reading on inflation.
Sector movers: Builders boosted, healthcare hurt
House builders were cream of the crop on Friday, while healthcare was looking under the weather.
FTSE 250 movers: Stobart flying high, UDG health questioned
London’s FTSE 250 finished up 0. 1% at 18,435. 62 on Friday, as Stobart led the way after its capture of Flybe.
Broker tips: Sage, Dixons Carphone, NMC Health, UDG Healthcare, Hikma Pharma, Dechra Pharma
UBS downgraded software group Sage to 'sell' from 'neutral' on Friday, cutting the price target to 520p from 590p as it said the risk-reward was unfavourable and strategic questions remain.
Remote Monitored Systems raises £350k in placing
Survey, inspection and monitoring company Remote Monitored Systems has successfully raised £350,000 in a placing to support its core areas of business, provide working capital and clear its debt.
Bloodletting in store for UDG Healthcare and NMC, reckons Jefferies
NMC Health and UDG Healthcare were given a bruising by Jefferies analysts on Friday, as they performed a check to the healthcare sector.
UBS downgrades Sage as risk-reward unfavourable
UBS downgraded software group Sage to 'sell' from 'neutral' on Friday, cutting the price target to 520p from 590p as it said the risk-reward was unfavourable and strategic questions remain.
FTSE 100 movers: Housebuilders rally but NMC hit by broker note
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 4% at 6,916. 66 in afternoon trade on Friday as the pound popped higher.
Jadestone confirms restart of production at Montara
Independent oil and gas production company Jadestone Energy announced the restart of production from the Montara oil field on Friday, following a maintenance and inspection shutdown.
US CPI slips in December on energy price drop, core inflation 'solid'
US consumer prices fell back just as expected last month amid a sharp drop in energy costs but, according to analysts, amid broad-based inflationary pressures at the core level.
UK growth should perk up in first quarter of 2019 - NIESR
UK economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter of last year but could make a "modest recovery" in the first quarter of 2019 as long as Brexit wobbles don't mushroom further, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research predicted on Friday.
Google board allegedly covered-up sexual misconduct
Alphabet directors were accused on Thursday of providing big severance packages to executives in order to help cover up their sexual misconduct.
Dixons Carphone offers 'solid and realistic' strategy, thinks HSBC
Dixons Carphone management have outlined what looks a "solid and realistic" strategy, HSBC said but analysts still lowered their target price on the electronics retailer.
BofA-ML sees Brent at $70 in 2019, but says global recession could result in $35
There are risks, but analysts at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch on Friday reiterated their forecast for an average price of Brent crude oil in 2019 of $70 a barrel, pointing to a combination of potentially supportive factors, including a weaker US dollar, and the then current 'bearish' investor set-up.