Market Report
Canaccord lowers target price on 'still attractive' GBG
With GBG's emphasis switching from income to capital growth, analysts at Canaccord Genuity lowered their target price on the internationally focused insurance and benefits provider on Monday.
FX round-up: Pound dips on chatter about early elections, new Scottish referendum
Early gains in the US dollar on the back of a putative deal on trade between China and the US at the weekend had petered out by late in the session.
FTSE 250 movers: Ocado and Crest lead risers
London's mid-cap index was on the up on Monday, led by Ocado and Crest Nicholson.
Commodities: WTI futures jump on risk of new Iran sanctions, soybeans gain on China deal
Commodities clocked in with solid gains at the start of the week, despite strength in the US dollar, amid the risk of historic sanctions against Tehran.
Results round-up
Buy-and-build construction materials group SigmaRoc delivered a solid set of results for its first year of trading profit as it successfully executed upon its strategy of extracting incremental value from acquisitions.
Europe midday: Italian stocks slump amid warning from Paris
Worries about the political situation in Italy are eroding earlier gains for stocks on the Continent, despite apparent progress in trade talks between China and the US at the weekend.
Europe close: Stocks rise despite Italian uncertainty, Spanish assets knocked lower
Worries about the political situation in Italy weighed on investor sentiment on the Continent, offsetting some of the boost from the apparent progress made by China and the US on trade talks at the weekend.
House prices fall in South East England for first time since 2011
Property asking prices climbed to a new record high this month, but prices fell across south-east England for the first time since in seven years.
London close: Stocks hit fresh highs on news of China-US trade framework
London's top-flight index hit a new record on Monday, boosted by a weaker pound as the dollar rallied on the back of an easing of tensions between the US and China, which also helped to lift broader market sentiment.
Market buzz: FTSE flies to new record high, MPs call for Russian clampdown
1654: A "solid day" for equity markets in the US and UK, says market analyst Chris Beauchamp at IG, with the FTSE 100 clocking up yet another record high and moving on for the next summit of 8000, while the Dow Jones comes back from the weekend with a solid 300-plus day so far.
Federal Reserve bank of Chicago's national activity index picks up in April
A widely-followed survey of economic activity in the States ticked higher last month, as indicators linked to production offset weakness in those for personal consumption and housing.
Culture Sec ponders Comcast bid for Sky
Sky's potential takeover by Comcast does not perturb the government, but Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said he had not yet reached a final decision.
Greatland Gold shares boosted by mineralisation identification at Black Hills
Precious and base metals exploration firm Greatland Gold on Monday announced that it has identified four distinct zones of gold mineralisation at its wholly owned Black Hills licence in Western Australia.
Russian 'dirty money' puts UK security at risk, report warns
A committee of MPs are calling for a clampdown of Russian money laundering through the City of London’s financial institutions, arguing that it could potentially put national security at risk.
IAG prepping £1.3bn offer for Norwegian
International Airlines Group is reportedly set to make a third run at a takeover of low-cost carrier Norwegian, one, which if successful, would value the budget airline at £1. 3bn.
Tuesday preview: Galliford update eyed as Halfords aims to stay on track
Although quieter than last week, there's still plenty for investors to get their teeth into on Tuesday, with updates from Close Brothers, Cranswick, Entertainment One, Galliford Try, Halfords, Homeserve, Pets at Home and Shaftesbury, before later data on UK public finance data and industrial trends that could move markets a little.
Broker tips: G4S, GBG, Rotork
Kepler Cheuvreux initiated coverage of G4S with a ‘buy’ rating and 310p price target as it said that new management’s "less is more" strategy is about to deliver a significant boost to the group’s profitability while putting the security company on a steadier growth path.
ITM Power appoints finance director following 'invaluable' contribution
Energy storage and clean fuel company ITM Power announced on Monday that chief finance officer Andrew Allen will be elevated to the board as finance director with immediate effect.
Safestyle files legal claim against competitor Safeglaze
AIM-listed double glazing group Safestyle said on Monday that it is seeking damages and injunctive relief against competitor Safeglaze UK - whose most recent TV ad was fronted by Eastenders legend Pam St Clement - and a number of named individuals.
US open: Solid open on the Street as Washington puts trade war 'on hold'
Wall Street trading started the week strong on Monday as investors welcomed an easing of tensions between the US and China, with deal news in focus.