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Sector movers: Speculation drives gains in electricity, oil stocks
M&A speculation and commodity prices were the main drivers behind Tuesday's price action despite skepticism from analysts on both fronts.
Europe close: Stocks end day lower as investors take breather
Stocks finished slightly in the red, reversing earlier gains as market optimism regarding the prospect for US tax reforms was tempered somewhat by conflicting reports regarding the exact timing and content of any meaasures.
Commodities: Gold range bound as greenback gains
Gold has been stuck in a $1,265/84/oz. trading range since 22 October, as the market looks for key drivers to break in either direction.
Europe midday: Stocks dip lower
Stocks have slipped slightly into the red come midday, reversing earlier gains on the back of overnight gains on Wall Street and a sharp rise for Japan's Nikkei 225 to its best level since January 1992.
FX round-up: Increased rate hike expectations push US dollar higher
Tuesday saw the greenback rally against a basket of currencies, with the dollar index trading 0. 28% higher to 95. 020, able to hold on just below a 3 and half month high of 95. 150 hit last week.
Results round-up
Ideagen said on Tuesday that it expects first-half revenue and adjusted earnings to be “significantly” ahead of the same period a year ago following strong trading.
Investec highlights strong cash flows, M&A optionality at Imperial Brands
Analysts at Investec sounded a positive note on shares of Imperial Brands despite the company's slight earnings miss for the full year, pointing to its "strong" cash-flows and M&A optionality, which led them to the conclusion that the discount they were trading on relative to the sector was too "harsh".
Macquarie reiterates 'buy' for Glencore, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto
Diversified miners' valuation discount versus the FTSE 100 is well-deserved, analysts at Macquarie have said, pointing to the group's volatile top line and poor track record in terms of capital allocation during the 'good times'.
Broker tips: Imperial Brands, Glencore, William Hill
Analysts at Investec sounded a positive note on shares of Imperial Brands despite the slight earnings miss for the full year, pointing to its "strong" cash-flows and M&A optionality, which led it to the conclusion that the discount they were trading on relative to the sector was too "harsh".
Director dealings: Partner of BT chairman collects 200,000 shares in telecoms giant
Magdalena du Plessis, the wife of BT chairman Jan du Plessis, picked up 200,000 ordinary shares in the telecommunications giant on Tuesday at a cost of £2. 52 each.
Fevertree Drinks sees full year 'materially ahead' of current market views
Fevertree Drinks said on Tuesday that results for the year to the end of December are set to be “materialy ahead” of current market expectations following a strong performance in the year to date.
IAG traffic remains on upward trajectory
International Consolidated Airlines Group, better known as IAG and as the owner of British Airways and Iberia, continued to grow capacity and passenger traffic in October.
London close: FTSE trades lower as retail stocks weigh
London stocks closed lower on Tuesday, weighed down by the likes of G4S and AB Foods.
SSE and Innogy in 'well-advanced' merger discussions
British energy supplier SSE is in talks with the parent company of rival Npower, German firm innogy, about potentially forming the UK's largest power company.
US open: Wall Street mixed as markets wait on Senate tax reform proposal
Wall Street is trading on a mixed note amid conflicting reports on the likely timing and exact content of any White House tax reform proposal ahead of the anticipated Senate proposal later this week or early during the next one.
Boris Johnson under pressure as jailed British woman requests meeting
Boris Johnson is currently fighting off renewed calls for him to resign after a British citizen had her prison sentence extended due to comment made by the Foreign Secretary.
First Derivatives ticks all the boxes
UK-based software and consultancy services firm First Derivatives saw its revenue grow by 21% in the first half of its trading year, led by strong growth in its software wing and heightened demand for its managed services and consulting solutions.
Scottish Power boss calls on ministers to choose a side in energy debate
Keith Anderson, chief corporate officer for Scottish Power, came for the UK government on Tuesday as he challenged ministers to choose whether or not they would back the free market or fully regulate the energy industry.
William Hill rallies on double upgrade from Merrill
Bookmaker William Hill got a boost on Tuesday as Bank of America upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘underperform’, lifting the price target to 330p from 224p.
High street retailer New Look brings back former executive to right ship
Alistair McGeorge, executive chairman of low-cost fashion retailer New Look, said on Monday that the high street brand's previous management should be held accountable for its weakened sales performance and dragging the company to a heavy loss as a result of it making the group "too young and edgy. ".