Market Pulse
Tuesday preview: Whitbread, BHP and public sector borrowing in focus
UK public sector debt figures follow a smattering of corporate results first thing in the morning from the likes of Whitbread, BHP Billiton and St James's Place.
US close: Markets rally as Macron takes pole position
US equity markets were in the green on Monday over investor relief on centrist Emmanuel Macron winning the first round in the French presidential election and on hopes of possible tax reform.
French vote to keep European Union and euro alive (for now)
France voted to keep the euro alive at the weekend but the overall results laid bare an increasingly fragmented political landscape, leading some to question whether the winner, centrist Emmanuel Macron, will really be able to effect positive change - more importantly, whether the French truly want it.
Directors dealings: Bovis Homes's new chief builds for the future
Housebuilder Bovis´ new boss, Greg Fitzgerald, and his spouse picked up a large batch of shares in the company he now calls home.
Bonds: French bonds jump, periphery bonds wanted
These were the movements in some of the most widley-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 28% (+3bp)UK: 1. 05% (+2bp) Germany: 0. 33% (+8bp)France: 0. 83% (-11bp)Spain: 1. 61% (-9bp)Italy: 2. 18% (-8bp)Portugal: 3. 56% (-19bp)Greece: 6. 45% (-19bp)Japan: 0. 02% (+1bp).
Elliott Capital Advisors discloses 6.8% stake in WS Atkins
Activist hedge fund Elliott Capital Advisors has taken a 6. 8% stake in rail, telecoms and defence engineer WS Atkins.
FX round-up: Sterling endures tough time after Macron cheer boosts euro
Sterling had a tough time on major crosses, tumbling against a resurgent euro after centrist and pro-EU candidate Emmanuel Macron won the first round of France's presidential election.
Chicago Fed national activity index slips in March
Economic activity in the States slowed over the three months to March a widely-followed gauge revealed, as some subindices linked to the labour market cooled.
BofA-Merrill sees upside for European stocks after Macron win at the polls
Strategists at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch sounded a confident note on the outlook for European equities after Macron's win at the polls over the weekend, telling clients they saw ample potential upside for their.
Commodities: Gold markedly lower on Macron's first-round win in France presidential vote
The price of gold was markedly lower on Monday afternoon as investors reacted with ecstasy to centrist and pro-EU candidate Emmanuel Macron winning the first round of France's presidential election.
Sector movers: Construction stocks, banks lead gains
Cyclicals were clearly in the lead at the start of the week with a win for France's centrist presidential candidate at the weekend, stoking risk apettite across the globe.
US open: Stocks gain following French election vote, investors eye tax reform
US equity markets were in the green on Monday over investor relief on centrist Emmanuel Macron winning the first round in the French presidential election and on hopes of possible tax reform.
Small cap news round-up
Jimmy Choo said on Monday that it is conducting a review of various strategic options to "maximise value for its shareholders", including the sale of the company.
FTSE 250 movers: Kennedy Wilson surges but Tritax slumps
London's FTSE 250 was up 1. 2% to 19,597. 79 in afternoon trade as investors bet that centrist Macron will beat far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen in the second round of the French elections.
Shell inks deal to help finance Nordstream 2 pipeline
Five European energy outfits, incluging Royal Dutch Shell, agreed to provide Nordstream 2 AG up to €950. 0m of funds to help build the new pipeline linking Russia's natural gas reserves directly with European consumers, roughly doubling the existing capacity of Nordstream 1.
Civitas Social Housing completes acquisition of three supported living properties
Civitas Social Housing has completed the £3. 5m acquisition of a portfolio of regulated social housing, comprising of three supported living properties, with 13 tenancies, in the West Midlands and south east of England.
Galantas Gold could seek compensation from Northern Ireland police
Galantas Gold Corporation advised the market on Monday that it received notification that the Police Service of Northern Ireland would not provide its required anti-terrorism cover in regard to blasting operations required for mine development at the Omagh Gold Mine.
FTSE 100 movers: Smurfit lifted by Goldman note; utilities slump
London's FTSE 100 was up 2. 1% to 7,2634. 30 in afternoon trade as investors welcomed the outcome of the first round of France's Presidential elections.
Stratex completes Altintepe disposal
Turkey and Africa-focussed gold exploration and development company Stratex International announced that it completed the disposal of its 45% interest in the Altıntepe Gold Mine in Turkey to its joint venture partners, for an aggregate cash receipt of $8m.
Eurozone banks is where the money is, JP Morgan says
Emmanuel Macron's win at the weekend could spark an up to 10% re-rating in Eurozone equities in comparison to US stocks, strategists at JP Morgan said.