Market Report
Commodities: Crude oil futures dip as Barry exits Gulf of Mexico
Commodities were unwanted at the start of the week, led by a drop in energy futures as hurricane Barry moved inland from the Gulf of Mexico and amid GDP data in China showing that the economy slowed to a year-on-year pace of 6. 2% over the three months to June - its slowest clip since 1992 - after expanding by 6. 4% in the first quarter.
Sector movers: Miners pace gains, BT down as investors 'in no rush'
Miners and industrial metals names paced gains at the start of the week, boosted by a slate of solid economic data out China referencing the month of June.
Europe close: Solid Chinese economic data lifts stocks
Stocks on the Continent overcame early selling, helped by solid readings on Chinese economic activity in June, after Germany's ministry of Economics warned of softness ahead in the country's services sector.
New Boeing 737 Max plane ordered by Ryanair undergoes renaming
A Boeing Max 737 delivered to Ryanair has had the model’s name changed on delivery which could mean the manufacturer and airlines will rebrand the controversial model.
London close: Investors cheer Chinese economic data
London stocks ticked higher on Monday as investors mulled mixed Chinese economic data and the start of the US second quarter earnings season as banking giant delivered a solid score card for the three months to June.
Broker tips: British American Tobacco, Sophos, Hastings Group
Morgan Stanley has backed the household, personal care and cosmetics sector – but sounded a note of warning about tobacco companies.
Director dealings: Micro Focus chairman halves stake
Micro Focus slumped on Monday following the news that chairman Kevin Loosemore had sold 650,000 shares in the business last week.
RBC lowers target price on Hastings amid 'challenging' market conditions
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets lowered their target price on British insurance outfit Hastings Group from 225p to 200p on Monday, reflecting lower estimates for 2020.
US open: Stocks drop in and out of the red at the bell
Stocks on Wall Street opened broadly flat on Monday after surging to new highs during the previous week after Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell hinted that an interest rate cut could be on the horizon.
FTSE 250 movers: Sports Direct slides; IP Group gains ground
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 2% at 19,598. 29 in afternoon trade on Monday.
JP Morgan anticipates Sophos's billings will reaccelerate
Analysts at JP Morgan reiterated their 'overweight' stance on shares of software maker Sophos, telling clients that the reacceleration in billings over the first quarter of the new fiscal year supported confidence in the medium-term thesis for the stock.
FTSE 100 movers: Antofagasta rallies; Micro Focus slumps as chairman dumps shares
The FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 7,531. 14 in afternoon trade on Monday as investors digested mixed Chinese data and earnings from Citigroup across the pond.
UK needs to adapt to industrial change - TUC
The UK government must have a strategy in place to deal with the industrial changes that will follow-on from automation and the emerging green economy, said the TUC on Monday.
Motif Bio submits meeting request to FDA over iclaprim situation
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Motif Bio has submitted a meeting request and package to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) related to its lead product candidate ‘iclaprim’, it said on Monday.
Empire State factory index stages partial recovery in July
Factory sector activity in the New York area picked up a tad more quickly than expected in July, following a sharp drop during the previous month, according to the results of a closely-followed survey.
Portmeirion buying US homewares firm Nambe in $12m deal
Homewares manufacturer and distributor Portmeirion Group announced the acquisition of US based premium homewares business Nambé on Monday, for a cash consideration of $12m.
Geographic diversity providing stability for Hydrogen Group
Specialist recruitment company Hydrogen Group updated the market on its trading for the six months ended 30 June on Monday, reporting that it had continued to trade in line with its expectations.
Spectra Systems signs on European lottery customer, renews with US operator
Banknote authentication and brand protection specialist Spectra Systems Corporation has been selected by an unnamed “major” European lottery to provide its ‘Premier64 Integrity’ internal control system (ICS), it announced on Monday.
Morgan Stanley sounds note of caution over tobacco in otherwise upbeat HPC review
Morgan Stanley has backed the household, personal care and cosmetics sector – but sounded a note of warning about tobacco companies.
Circor shares tumble as Crane says it won't extend offer deadline
Circor shares slumped on Monday after Crane Co said it would not extend its offer for the US flow control technology company if there is no "substantive engagement" this week.