Market Pulse
FX round-up: Dollar boosted by tax plans, pound rallies on Brexit hopes
President Donald Trump's tax reforms made the dollar the early story, before a sterling narrative took over as Brexit developments filtered through from the EU 27 in Brussels.
London close: Footsie ends flat as pound bounces back
London stocks finished the Friday session almost exactly flat despite encouraging noises emerging from Brussels mingled with optimism stateside over proposed tax reforms.
Berenberg ups Cobham target but says premium valuation "unwarranted"
Despite Cobham share's outperformance over the past six months, Berenberg cautioned clients about the near-term strength of various of the firm's end-markets, alongside operational challenges that would require time to resolve and, for a time, scupper hopes that the dividend would be reinstated.
Octagonal 'extremely pleased' as it reports record revenue and profits
Octagonal updated the market on its trading on Friday, based on the unaudited interim figures for the six months to 30 September for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Global Investment Strategy UK, saying it was “extremely pleased” with the record revenues and profits achieved.
Marlowe trading in line as acquisitions integrate 'well'
Support services group Marlowe updated the market on its trading for the six months to 30 September on Friday, saying trading in the first six months of the financial year was in line with board expectations.
Ncondezi agrees non-binding development offer with CMEC and GE
Ncondezi Energy announced on Friday that it has agreed - in principle - to the terms of a non-binding offer with China Machinery Engineering Corporation and General Electric South Africa to enter into exclusive negotiations to develop, construct and operate the integrated Ncondezi 300MW coal-fired power project and open pit coal mine in Tete, Mozambique.
Virgin Money's growth prospects not reflected in share price, Barclays says
Analysts at Barclays Research believe Virgin Money's growth prospects are not reflected in the share price.
Gulf Keystone production, exports not impacted by fighting
Gulf Keystone Petroleum, an independent operator and producer in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, confirmed on Friday that operations continued safely and securely despite political instability in the surrounding region, with average production of 34,525 barrels of oil equivalent per day from the Shaikan oil field since the start of October.
Bacanora clears regulatory hurdle at Sonora lithium project
Lithium exploration and development company Bacanora Minerals announced on Friday that the environmental impact statement - the ‘manifestacion de impacto ambiental’ (MIA) - for its flagship Sonora Project in Mexico has been approved by SEMARNAT, the Environment Ministry of Mexico.
Elektron Technology completes sale of Sheen Instruments
Elektron Technology confirmed it has completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary Sheen Instruments on Friday, to Industrial Physics.
DX Group narrows loss after tough year
DX Group reported preliminary results for the year on Friday, with revenue rising to £291. 9m from £287. 9m a year earlier, although EBITDA fell to £7. 2m from £18m.
US existing home sales move higher in September
Existing home sales in the States broke a three-month streak of consecutive declines but were nevertheless labelled "meagre" by some observers, who warned that a lack of supply and fast price increases were putting a crimp in buyers' budgets.
FTSE 250 movers: Renishaw gains on update; Acacia loses its shine
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 1% to 20,150. 98 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US open: Wall Street climbs 'wall of worry' on tax cut progress
Wall Street continued to climb the proverbial 'wall of worry' following Senate approval of the White House's budget resolution for fiscal year 2018, which some believed paved the way for tax cuts.
EServGlobal raises £24m to push forward HomeSend joint venture
EServGlobal announced the successful completion of the institutional component of its 1-for-3 non-renounceable entitlement offer on Friday, which it first announced on Wednesday, alongside a firm placing to institutional investors.
Assura subsidiary issues £150m of privately-placed notes, increases debt facilities
Assura’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Assura Financing Limited, has issued £150m of privately placed notes and increased its debt facilities.
EU27 to prepare internally for second phase of Brexit talks
European leaders have agreed to move internal discussions on Brexit onto issues of trade and the exit transition - but not with the UK negotiating team due to the "insufficient progress" made in negotiations.
London midday: Shares and sterling higher on cautious Brexit optimism
London stocks kept hold of most of their early gains by midday on Friday as encouraging noises emerging from Brussels mingled with optimism stateside over proposed tax reforms.
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ASOS boosted by HSBC upgrade to 'buy'
Online fashion retailer ASOS got a boost on Friday as HSBC upgraded its stance on the stock to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 6,650p from 6,250p, saying its new rating is supported by a strong net cash balance sheet.