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London midday: Stocks and sterling drop as Brexit, China woes weigh
London stocks were still in the red by midday on Friday following the release of weak Chinese data and after Theresa May returned home from her EU charm offensive empty-handed.
Ofgem calls for changes from SSE Orkney link
The UK energy regulator has provided some constructive criticism of SSE's planned new electricity link connecting wind farms and tidal power projects on the island of Orkney.
Europe midday: Stocks reel after weak
Stocks on the Continent are reeling following a double helping of negative news on the economy out of the single currency bloc and from Asia on Thursday morning.
ReNeuron narrows losses as development programmes continue
Cell-based therapeutics developer ReNeuron Group issued its interim results for the six months ended 30 September on Friday, reporting a reduced loss for the period of £5. 32m, from £9. 57m year-on-year.
AO World announces another delay to Mobile Phones Direct acquisition
AO World updated the market on its acquisition of Mobile Phones Direct on Friday, with a further delay to the transaction’s expected completion date.
US pre-open: Stocks seen lower after weak Chinese data
US stocks looked set for losses at the open on Friday, taking their cue from declines across the pond following the release of weak Chinese data.
Capita gets tongue-lashing over army recruitment drive
Capita’s attempts to operate an army recruitment drive have faced "significant problems" and failed to hit soldier targets every year, according to a report from the National Audit Office.
Firestone Diamonds recovers 46 carat white diamond
Firestone Diamonds has recovered a 46 carat white, makeable diamond from its Liqhobong mine in Lesotho.
UK workers have lost up to £20k in wages since 2008
The average wages of UK workers are worth a third less in some parts of the country than they were ten years ago, new research has revealed.
LVMH to buy luxury hotel group Belmond
French luxury group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has agreed to buy Belmond, the owner of the Hotel Cipriani in Venice, in a $2. 6bn deal.
Science Group takes itself off market amid Brexit uncertainties
Science Group terminated its formal sale process on Friday, citing uncertainties related to the UK's exit from the EU.
Low & Bonar dives after warning on tough trading conditions
Low & Bonar has warned on profits and cut its dividend as tough trading conditions during the final quarter were further exacerbated by a fire that disrupted production.
Ebiquity appoints Alan Newman as chief financial and operating officer
Media and marketing consultancy Ebiquity has appointed Alan Newman as its new chief financial and operating officer.
South Western Railway staff to hold two more strikes in December
Long-suffering commuters in London, Surrey and the South of England were handed a dose of Christmas misery on Thursday evening, as the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union (RMT) confirmed two more 24-hour strikes on South Western Railway (SWR) would go ahead during December.
British American Tobacco shuffles board for new CEO
British American Tobacco announced details of a management board re-shuffle on Friday, including two new roles, in a bid to accelerate the implementation of its strategy.
Kerry Group to buy two US businesses for EUR325m
Kerry Group said on Friday that it has agreed to buy Ariake USA, the North American business of Ariake Japan Co, and Southeastern Mills North American coatings and seasonings business (SEM) for around €325m.
EU rejects May's plea for time limit on Irish backstop
European Union leaders rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's plea to put a time limit on the Irish backstop, in a blow to her hopes of reaching a Brexit deal at a Brussels summit on Thursday.
London open: Miners and housebuilders slump, May returns empty-handed
London stocks fell in early trade on Friday, taking their cue from a downbeat Asian session following the release of weak Chinese data and after European Union leaders told Theresa May that the Brexit withdrawal agreement was not open for renegotiation.
Friday newspaper round-up: Brexit, low wages, rail strikes, Shell, Imagination Technologies
Theresa May was humiliated by European leaders late last night after they rejected pleas for any further concessions to get her Brexit deal through parliament. France and Ireland led a move to strike out a compromise agreement that would have given the prime minister “political and legal assurances” that Britain would not be trapped in an indefinite Irish backstop. - The Times.
Aggreko secures Tokyo Olympics contract
Aggreko said on Friday that its subsidiary, Aggreko Events Services Japan Limited (AESJL), has been awarded the supply contract for temporary electricity generation by The Tokyo Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.