Market Pulse
Commodities: WTI moves higher despite small rise in US oil rig count
At the closing bell, the Bloomberg commodity index was ahead by 0. 25% to 84. 01, at roughly a two-month low, alongside a 0. 11% advance for the US dollar spot index to 93. 90.
US close: Dow Industrials, S&P 500 finish week at record highs
The Dow Jones Industrials and S&P 500 finished the week at record highs with commodity stocks pacing gains on the back of strong Chinese trade data for the month of November, even as the latest monthly jobs report revealed wage growth fell short of forecasts once again.
Week ahead: Central banks, China in focus
Central banks will be firmly in the spotlight over the coming week, alongside a barrage of economic data out of China and Japan.
Director dealings: Boohoo.com directors buy-in
Boohoo's finance chief, Neil Catto, purchased 14,306 of ordinary stock in the firm at an average price of 174. 51p on 8 December.
Sunday share tips: Croda International, Dignity, Warpaint London
Shares in Croda International are also an "avoid" for Questor in the Sunday Telegraph. The company manufactures speciality and industrial chemicals used in many everyday items such as cosmetic creams, dietary supplements, foods, plastic bags and motor vehicles. It has progressed far since its days of refining grease from sheep's wool to make lanolin by employing clever people and rewarding them well, including with a final salary pension scheme, which is all part of management taking a long-term view and investing millions each year in research and development.
Sunday newspaper round-up: Retail M&A, Unilever, Brexit trade deal, bitcoin, Apple
The City is beginning to talk excitedly about the prospect of a flurry of deals in UK retail as many of the big names seriously struggle, with the tipping being the expected green light for Tesco's takeover of wholesaler Booker. A tie-up between Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s is one, but senior retailers insist almost anything is possible in the current climate, involving Next, Morrisons, Asda or the long-rumoured merger of Debenhams and House of Fraser. - Sunday Telegraph.
Sector movers: Industrial Metals, Home construction pace gains
Cyclical areas of the market such as Industrial Metals and Home Construction were buoyed at the end of the week, buoyed by strong data out of China and corporate updates, respectively, alongside some of the more defensive segments as telecoms and pharma on the back of positive broker commentary.