Market Pulse
Asia report: Most markets lower after weak Thursday on Wall St
Most markets in Asia finished lower on Friday, after a red session on Wall Street overnight amid fresh concerns about the future of federal tax reform in the US.
Gaming Realms agrees 10-year deal and convertible loan with Jackpotjoy
Gaming Realms, the digital games developer, has agreed a 10-year framework deal with Jackpotjoy to supply various real-money services "on favoured terms", with Jackpotjoy stumping up a £3. 5m convertible loan.
London midday: Stocks nudge up as EU leaders agree to take Brexit talks to next phase
London stocks had managed to nudge a touch higher by midday on Friday as EU leaders confirmed they will move on to the second phase of Brexit negotiations, but with worries about the passage of the US tax bill weighing on investors’ minds.
US pre-open: Stocks to edge up as investors put aside tax bill concerns
US futures pointed to a positive open on Wall Street on Friday as investors brushed aside worries about the passage of the US tax bill.
Bacanora Minerals agrees 20% placing, lithium offtake deal with Japanese investor
Bacanora Minerals has sold a large chunk of shares and agreed an off-take deal with an overseas institutional investor as it seeks to develop its lithium project in Mexico.
Assystem Technologies makes £281m bid for SQS
SQS Software Quality Systems announced on Friday that it has reached agreement with Bidco on the terms of a recommended all-cash offer to be made by Bidco for the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of SQS it does not not already own.
Ryanair to recognise unions as it looks to avert strike disruption
Budget airline Ryanair is set to recognise pilot unions for the first time in its history as it looks to avoid strikes over Christmas.
Active Energy's CoalSwitch gets thumbs-up from Utah Governor's Office
Biomass based renewable energy and forestry management company Active Energy has received a letter of support from the Governor's Office of Energy Development in Utah, it said on Friday, regarding Advanced Biomass Solutions’ plans for the ‘CoalSwitch’ plant.
Luceco issues profit warning after accounting error
Manufacturer and distributor of LED lighting products, Luceco, updated the market on its for the year to 31 December on Friday, reporting that it has seen gross margins weaken during the second half of the year.
Ortac's Casa Mining identifies 'significant' additional gold mineralisation
Ortac Resources announced on Friday that Casa Mining, in which it currently holds an effective 84. 7% economic stake, has completed a review of previous exploration activity in the Akyanga license area.
Path enters conditional farm-in deal with 5P Energy
Path Investments has entered into a conditional farm-in agreement with 5P Energy, it announced on Friday, in relation to the potential acquisition of a 50% participating interest in a producing gas field - the Alfeld-Elze II Licence and Gas Field in Germany.
Segro boosted by Liberum upgrade to 'buy'
Segro got a boost on Friday as Liberum upgraded the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and hiked the price target to 640p from 505p as it upgraded its net asset value forecasts by around 7%.
Trinity Mirror reports mixed sales news as Northern & Shell talks progress
Trinity Mirror said it was making "good progress" with talks to acquire the Daily Express and Daily Star and that digital revenues had risen in the fourth quarter but overall sales were lower.
SDL tumbles as it warns over 2017 earnings
Shares in SDL tumbled on Friday after the software maker warned that its adjusted earnings for 2017 will be below current market expectations if some of its software deals don’t close by the end of this year.
Hornby appoints Kirstie Gould as CFO
Model train set maker Hornby said on Friday that Kirstie Gould, currently a consultant in the finance department, will take over from chief financial officer David Mullion, who is stepping down from the board at the end of this month.
Standard Life Aberdeen outflows remain stable as integration 'on track'
Standard Life Aberdeen reported its investment funds continued to leak flows in the group's first update since its merger was finalised, though outflows lessened year on year.
London open: Stocks flat amid worries over US tax bill passage
London stocks were little changed in early trade on Friday amid worries about the passing of the US tax bill and as investors eyed the next phase of the Brexit saga.
Aveva awaits US approval for Schneider merger, disappointed on tax ruling
Aveva's £3bn agreed merger with Schneider Electric is expected to gain final regulatory approval by mid-February, though the industrial software group was disappointed by a UK tax ruling on the deal.
Tritax Big Box extends debt facility
Real estate investment trust Tritax Big Box has agreed terms to extend the maturity on its existing loan facility with Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale.
BGEO subsidiary begins construction of Bodorna hydro power plant
BGEO Group announced on Friday that its utility and energy subsidiary, Georgia Global Utilities, has begun construction of Bodorna hydro power plant near Bodorna reservoir.