Market Pulse
Micro Focus appoints new CFO as sales back on track
Micro Focus has appointed Brian McArthur-Muscroft from Paysafe as its new chief financial officer, issued an upbeat trading statement and said it will restart its share buyback programme.
Serica Energy increases stake in North Sea oil and gas fields
Oil explorer Serica Energy has acquired further interests in the BHP Billiton operated Bruce and Keith fields in the UK’s North Sea.
RHI Magnesita improves margins as end markets remain solid
RHI Magnesita, a supplier of heat-resistant products for use in furnaces, incinerators and the like, said it had continued to improve margins while its end-markets remained "solid".
Ryanair traffic up 11% October
Budget airline Ryanair posted an 11% jump in traffic for October on Monday.
London open: Stocks edge lower ahead of services data; Hiscox slumps
There were no fireworks in London equity markets on Monday, with the top-flight index nudging lower in early trade ahead of the release of the latest UK services data.
ITV appoints experienced M&A man as new CFO
ITV boss Carolyn McCall has lured former colleague Chris Kennedy from Micro Focus to be her new chief financial officer from the start of February.
Monday newspaper round-up: Living wage, trade war, Restaurant Group, GE
More than 180,000 workers are set for an inflation-beating pay rise, as the UK living wage rises against a backdrop of increases in transport costs, private rent and council tax. The pay rate, a voluntary measure adopted by more than 4,700 employers, including Aviva, Burberry and Ikea, will increase by 2. 9% to £9 an hour across the country and by 3. 4% to £10. 55 in London. – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of services data
London stocks were set for a muted open on Monday following heavy losses in Asia, as investors awaited the latest reading on the UK services data, while US mid-term elections and the Fed's interest rate decision later in the week will also be eyed.