Market Pulse
US close: Small gains on the Street as positive news flows from trade talks
US stocks closed slightly higher on Monday amid signs of progress in Sino-US trade relations.
Bonds: Italian bonds rally as Fitch shies from downgrading sovereign
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields:.
Commodities: Brent futures slide as Trump tells OPEC to take it easy
Energy futures slid sharply lower at the start of the week after the US President took to social media to tell the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to "please relax and take it easy", adding that the "World cannot take a price hike - fragile!".
Europe close: Stocks hold onto gains even as analysts digest trade headlines
Stocks carved out small gains at the start of the week as investors digested the result of the latest round of US-China trade talks in Washington, which concluded on Sunday after being extended for an extra two days.
Tusk says deadline extension only way to avoid 'chaotic Brexit'
European Council President Donald Tusk called on UK Prime Minister Theresa May to extend the Brexit final deadline, stating that it was the "rational solution" given the lack of consensus in the House of Commons.
Barrick Gold makes $18bn unsolicited bid for rival Newmont
Canada’s Barrick Gold made a hostile $18bn bid on Monday to buy US rival Newmont Mining and merge two of the largest gold firms in the world.
London close: Shares end little changed as Brexit uncertainty dampens sentiment
London stocks finished the Monday session little changed as investors mulled over the long-term outlook for Sino-US trade relations, amid ongoing worries about Brexit, but managed to overcome selling in the housebuilding sector.
Broker tips: Pearson, Associated British Foods
Shares in publisher Pearson were under the cosh on Monday as Berenberg said the company was "far from a turnaround" and profits are likely to decline in 2020.
Shore Capital impressed with ABF's 'solid update'
Analysts at Shore Capital were impressed with Primark owner Associated British Foods' "solid" trading in the 24 weeks to 2 March.
NSF offer 'best rescue' for Provident Financial, says Canaccord
Canaccord Genuity upped its stance on doorstep lender Provident Financial to 'hold' from 'sell' and lifted the price target to 595p from 426p on Monday following the unsolicited £1. 3bn offer from smaller rival Non-Standard Finance.
Director dealings: Shell brass up stakes
Shell chief executive Ben van Beurden acquired 28,045 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed oil and gas producer on Monday.
FTSE 100 movers: Hiscox heads higher but Persimmon and Pearson retreat
London's FTSE 100 was flat at 7,180. 13 in afternoon trade on Monday, with housebuilders under the cosh.
DeepMatter raises £4m for development of 'DigitalGlassware'
Chemistry digitisation company DeepMatter has raised about £4m by way of a placing of 159,185,680 new ordinary shares with new and existing investors at 2. 5p each, it announced on Monday.
Roche to buy Spark Therapeutics in $4.3bn deal
Swiss drug maker Roche has agreed to buy Philadelphia-based Spark Therapeutics in a $4. 3bn cash deal.
US open: Positive open amid reports of progress in Sino-US trade talks
US stocks opened higher on Monday amid progress in Sino-US trade relations.
General Electric to sell biopharma business to Danaher for $21.4bn
General Electric has agreed to sell its biopharmaceutical business to Danaher for $21. 4bn.
Tlou Energy begins production testing at methane development pod
Botswana-focussed coal bed methane developer Tlou Energy has started production testing at its Lesedi 3 development pod, it announced on Monday, adding that “excellent progress” was also being made on drilling operations at the second development pod, Lesedi 4.
Angling Direct buys Chapmans Angling for £1.4m
Fishing tackle and equipment retailer Angling Direct has bought retailer Chapmans Angling for £1. 4m.
Totally subsidiary Vocare wins £10.6m contract extension
Healthcare contractor Totally announced on Monday that its wholly-owned urgent care subsidiary Vocare has been awarded a two-year contract extension, valued at £10. 6m, by the Central London Clinical Commissioning Group.
Audioboom raises £1.5m as it continues to expand content library
Podcast network Audioboom announced that, in order to fund its “rapidly increasing” portfolio of podcasting content, it has raised £1. 5m of new equity funding for growth, via a subscription of 115,384,670 new ordinary shares at a price of 1. 3p each.