Market Report
US open: Stocks jump despite consumer sentiment in the dumps
US stocks continued to push higher on Friday amid hopes of improving relations between the US and China, even as the latest batch of economic data showed that US consumer sentiment was quickly souring.
Honkarakenne signs accommodation agreement for Beijing Winter Olympics
Honkarakenne has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese company Zhangjiakou Winter-Olympic Town Tourism Development Company, it announced on Friday, saying it would deliver around 2,000 square metres of accommodation for the Haitou Valley project.
US manufacturing and mining output jumps in December
US industrial production edged past forecasts last month, as manufacturing and energy output ramped-up.
IEA sticks to forecast for slight pick-up in global oil demand for 2019
The rich world's energy watchdog reiterated its forecast for global oil demand growth in 2019, even as it highlighted the multiple sources of uncertainty which existed on both the demand and supply sides of the equation.
Goldman downgrades Antofagasta on valuation grounds
Shares in Chilean copper miner Antofagasta were proving resilient on Friday in the face of a downgrade to 'sell' from 'neutral' by Goldman Sachs, which slashed its price target to 700p from 850p as it argued that the stock's valuation is stretched following the recent rally.
Washington may be open to lifting some tariffs on China, Journal says
Washington might be prepared to make concessions of its own should Beijing decide to 'play ball' in upcoming trade talks.
Barclays starts Coats at 'equalweight', RWS at 'overweight'
Barclays initiated coverage of Coats Group and RWS Holdings on Friday.
DUP could support soft Brexit to avoid Irish backstop
The Democratic Unionist Party could support a soft Brexit that would have the whole of the UK aligned with the EU’s customs union in a bid to avoid the Irish backstop, according to a newspaper report on Friday.
UK would vote remain by 12% margin - YouGov poll
Britain would vote to stay in the European Union by a 12% margin in a second referendum, revealed a new poll by YouGov taken on 16 January.
Providence Resources upbeat on conversion of Irish licence
Ireland-based oil and gas exploration company Providence Resources updated the market on Licensing Option 16/27, operated by Total E&P Ireland, on Friday.
Europe midday: Stocks push higher on trade deal optimism
Stocks on the Continent are moving sharply higher following a report overnight - later denied - that the US might soften its tariffs against China as part of the ongoing negotiations.
US pre-open: Stocks to rise on Sino-US trade hopes
US stocks looked set to rise at the open on Friday amid signs of improving relations between the US and China.
Shearwater's Xcina secures partnership with Moorhouse Group
Shearwater Group announced on Friday that its portfolio company Xcina, a provider of governance, compliance, technology risk and information security assurance and advisory services, has secured a partnership with UK insurance broker Moorhouse Group.
London midday: Stocks push higher as housebuilders gain but airlines slump
London stocks had pushed further into the green by midday on Friday as investors chose to focus on signs of improving trade relations between the US and China and ignore uninspiring retail sales figures.
EasyJet hit by JPMorgan downgrade, Ryanair profit warning
EasyJet shares were under pressure on Friday, knocked lower by a downgrade from JPMorgan Cazenove and a profit warning from rival Ryanair.
Netflix fourth quarter divides opinions
Netflix enjoyed its best year for customer subscriptions growth but analysts differed over whether fourth-quarter numbers were good enough.
Asia report: Markets end week higher on fresh trade hopes
Markets in Asia finished mostly higher on Friday, as traders welcomed reports that Washington could be considering an easing of punitive tariffs on China as a way to progress trade discussions with Beijing.
Henry Boot trading in line but property development business hit by Brexit
Construction and property development company Henry Boot said on Friday that its real-estate activities traded in line in 2018, but its property development business was hit by Brexit uncertainty.
Beter Bed sales rise as it restructures international business
Beter Bed Holding updated the market on its sales on Friday, reporting that they increased 2. 2% in the fourth quarter, while its restructuring remained on track.
Ryanair downgrades profit guidance on lower fares
Ryanair cut its full-year profit guidance on Friday as it pinned the blame on lower-than-anticipated winter fares.