Market Pulse
BP starts production from Shetland's Clair Ridge project
BP is launching its first oil production from the offshore Clair Ridge project in the West of Shetland, more than 40 years after oil was first discovered in the area.
Peer-to-peer borrowing rises to 29% of UK SME lending
The UK’s booming alternative finance market burgeoned to over £6bn last year, research published Friday showed, as peer-to-peer lending continued to flourish.
Google will vet ads to ensure European Parliament vote fully transparent
Google will set up ad vetting transparency tool that will reveal spending and targeting information for ads to avoid any meddling in the European Parliament vote in 2019.
Friday preview: Euro area PMIs in focus
The spotlight at the end of the week will be on a preliminary reading on euro area factory and services sector conditions during the month of November.
China balks at US accusation of 'unfair' trade practices
Beijing has rejected fresh accusations of “unfair” trade practices from Washington just days before Presidents Trump and Xi are set to meet to discuss their ongoing trade disputes.
London close: Jump in Sterling saps strength in shares
London stocks fell on Thursday as the pound surged after the UK and European Union negotiators agreed a draft text for post-Brexit ties.
Sector movers: Builders and retailers rise on Brexit news
Housebuilders and retailers were among those sectors lifted by optimism on Brexit, but banks were not biting Theresa May's hook, and miners and utilities were firmly in the red.
UK and EU settle on Brexit agreement ahead of Sunday summit
The UK and European Union have agreed upon a draft text of future ties post-Brexit, leaving many decisions over post-divorce ties to be settled during the transition period.
CyanConnode signs deals in UAE and Bahrain
Narrowband radio frequency mesh network company CyanConnode has signed a distribution agreement with DS Technology, it announced on Thursday, as a systems integration and distribution partner for the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Directa Plus on track to achieve market expectations
Graphene-based products producer and supplier Directa Plus updated the market on its current financial year ending 31 December on Thursday, reporting that it had made “good progress” during the second half of the year.
President Energy makes progress in Rio Negro
Upstream oil and gas company President Energy updated the market on its drilling programme at the Puesto Flores/Estancia Vieja Concession, in Río Negro Province, Argentina on Thursday, where President was the operator with a 90% holdings, and provincial energy company EDHIPSA held 10%.
PCI-PAL reaches settlement with former CEO
Customer engagement specialist PCI-PAL has signed a settlement agreement with its former chief executive officer William Catchpole, it announced on Thursday.
OptiBiotix signs distribution agreement for Greece and Cyprus
Life sciences business OptiBiotix Health has entered into a three-year distribution agreement with an unnamed company to exclusively distribute and commercialise its own-label ‘CholBiome’ products containing its cholesterol and blood pressure reducing ‘LPLDL’ strain in Greece and Cyprus.
Wynnstay sees full year profit and EPS ahead of market expectations
Agricultural supplies group Wynnstay said on Thursday that it now expects pre-tax profit and earnings per share for the year to the end of October to be ahead of current market expectations.
Veltyco warns of ongoing cashflow difficulties
Online gaming marketing and operating company Veltyco Group updated the market on its receivable position and operations on Thursday, reporting that as at 20 November, its trade receivable balance amounted to €10. 6m, of which €9. 1m related to its online financial trading marketing activities.
Nationwide profits fall as it pours more cash back into society
Nationwide reported “strong trading” in its interim results on Thursday, and announced its intention to launch a current account for small businesses.
Asia report: Markets mixed as trade tensions continue
Markets finished Thursday mixed in Asia, with sentiment in the region remaining depressed after a middling session on Wall Street overnight and as geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing remained tight.
Euro area consumer confidence falls below forecasts in November
Consumer confidence in the Eurozone retreated again in November, in what economists termed a "disappointing" reading.
Italian debt rallies despite poor auction results ahead of speech by Conte
Italian bonds rallied on Thursday despite a very weak showing at an auction for government debt and despite mixed remarks from top politicians in Rome regarding the scope for any flexibility in talks with Brussels over the country's budget for next year.
FTSE 100 movers: Banks and housebuilders rally; Fresnillo hit by downgrade
London’s FTSE 100 was down 1. 1% to 6,976. 35 in afternoon trade on Thursday as the pound surged on renewed Brexit hopes.