Market Pulse
Asia report: Markets finish higher ahead of Japan election
Markets in Asia finished higher on Friday, as investors brushed off uncertainty from various corners of the region.
US pre-open: Stocks seen higher after Senate passes budget blueprint
US futures pointed to a slightly firmer open on Wall Street on Friday after the Senate passed a budget blueprint for the next fiscal year, pushing President Trump one step closer to implementing his tax reforms.
Jersey Oil to raise £20m via accelerated bookbuild
Jersey Oil & Gas announced on Friday its intention to raise fresh capital via a discounted share offering to fund the company's Verbier appraisal programme and Cortina exploration drilling.
Trump tax bill clears Senate hurdle as Bush and Obama make veiled swipes
US President Donald Trump’s proposed tax reforms cleared a significant hurdle on Thursday as the Senate passed a blueprint budget for 2018, as the divisiveness under his administration faced thinly-veiled attacks from predecessors Barack Obama and George W Bush.
Renishaw Q1 profit and revenue rise on Far East orders
FSTE 250 engineer Renishaw reported a rise in first-quarter profit and revenue on Friday thanks in part to a number of large orders from Far East customers in the consumer electronics markets.
Property Franchise says Belvoir offer 'significantly' undervalues the group
The Property Franchise Group outlined the reasons for its rejection of a merger offer from Belvoir Lettings on Friday, saying it “significantly undervalues” the group.
PowerHouse puts gasification system through 36-hour demonstration
Ultra-high temperature waste-to-energy and waste-to-hydrogen systems developer PowerHouse Energy Group has confirmed the successful demonstration of its G3-UHT gasification system to investors, potential business partners and media on two recent open days at the Thornton Science Park near Chester.
Velocys picks Mississippi site for first US biorefinery
Renewable fuels company Velocys announced on Friday that it has signed a site option agreement with Adams County in the State of Mississippi for its first US biorefinery, to be located in Natchez, Mississippi.
Armadale Capital agrees £0.4m facility for graphite project progression
Natural resources-focussed investment company Armadale Capital announced on Friday that the company has agreed a financing facility with a consortium of “high net worth individuals” to provide up to £0. 4m in support of the continued development of the Mahenge Liandu Graphite Project in Tanzania, and the completion of a feasibility study in the first half of 2018.
Public deficit shrinks further, but Chancellor likely to keep powder dry
The UK public deficit continued to shrink more than expected last month as government spending cuts continued, but the Chancellor's Budget next month is not expected to see many big fiscal giveaways.
Henry Boot signals bumper year given fast rate of completions
Henry Boot updated the market on its current trading on Friday, saying that it continued to be “very strong” across all business segments - in particular within property development and land promotion.
Interserve wins five-year facilities management contract with DWP
Interserve has won a major facilities management contract with the UK government, as chatter about a possible bid for the troubled company grew louder after a succession of profit warnings this year.
London open: Stocks climb as Trump Trade looks back on
London stocks pinged higher on Friday to wipe out losses from the previous session as the pound was weaker against the dollar after the US Senate approved a budget plan for 2018.
IHG boasts good growth as development pipeline surges
InterContinental Hotels Group reported a “good” third quarter on Friday, with global comparable revenue per available room up 2. 3%, and ahead 2. 2% in the year-to-date through the third quarter.
Dechra Pharmaceuticals trading on track in first quarter
Dechra Pharmaceuticals got off to a solid start across the board, the specialist veterinary medicines group said ahead of its annual shareholder meeting on Friday.
Smiths Group agrees pension scheme deal with Canada Life
Engineer Smiths Group has agreed a deal to insure £207m of its pension scheme with insurer Canada Life under a buy-in bulk annuity agreement.
Acacia Mining cash dwindles as revenues hit by Tanzania export ban
A day after a deal was struck to try and resolve its exports and tax dispute with the Tanzanian government, Acacia Mining reported revenue down 40% for the third quarter and a much diminished cash balance.
Serco COO Ed Casey stepping down to head back to US
Serco said on Friday that its chief operating officer, Ed Casey, is heading back home to the US to take up a role with another company.
London pre-open: Stocks seen higher after Senate budget deal
London stocks were set for a positive open on Friday following losses in the previous session and the US Senate approved a budget plan for 2018, with investors also likely to continue keeping an eye on developments in Spain.
Friday newspaper round-up: Pensions, HBOS, Royal Mail, M&S mortgages
One of the most ambitious IT projects ever undertaken in financial services, to provide individuals with an online “pensions dashboard” covering all the schemes they may have, has been given the go ahead by the government. The Department for Work and Pensions is aiming to bring all the 64m different pension pots in Britain under one roof so that individuals can see all their entitlements in one place. – Guardian.