Europe close: Defence plays underpin regional gains
European shares finished higher on Monday as investors weighed a sharp fall in eurozone industrial production and digested a raft of economic data from the UK, Switzerland and Japan, while defence stocks were in focus on reports that the UK government could accelerate military spending.
Tuesday preview: IHG and Antofagasta results due; UK jobs data in focus
Results are due on Tuesday from InterContinental Hotels Group and Chilean copper miner Antofagasta.
London close: FTSE 100 ekes out new record after quiet session
The FTSE 100 held on to mild gains on Monday, finishing marginally above last week's record high after a quiet session with Wall Street closed for the day.
Pentagon close to ending Anthropic partnership
The Pentagon is reportedly considering ending its use of AI startup Anthropic's AI model Claude after the relationship between the two sides has soured in recent months.
Hapag-Lloyd to buy Israel's ZIM for $4.2bn
German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd said on Monday that it has agreed to buy ZIM, Israel’s national flag carrier, for $4. 2bn in cash.
FTSE 250 movers: Pinewood Tech plunges after Apax withdraws from deal
FTSE 250 (MCX) 23,452. 46 0. 11%.
Broker tips: Fevertree, Schroders, Centrica
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on drinks maker Fevertree from 790p to 920p on Monday as it put the spotlight on its US partnership with Molson Coors.
FTSE 100 movers: Banks, defence firms rally; housebuilders fall
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 10,472. 70 in afternoon trade on Monday.
Director dealings: NWF Group chair raises stake
NWF Group revealed on Monday that chairwoman Amanda Burton had acquired 18,470 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed agricultural and distribution business.
Another Centrica buyback uncertain ahead of FY results, says Citi
Citi has kept a 'neutral' stance on Centrica ahead of the energy group's annual results this week, raising questions about the company's potential long-term targets.
Seraphim Space sees valuations of top four holdings jump 24%
Seraphim Space Investment Trust said on Monday that valuations of its top four holdings jumped 24% in the December quarter.
Former Carillion CEO fined £237,000 over 2018 collapse
The former chief executive of construction firm Carillion has been fined more than £230,000 for his part in misleading statements before the company’s spectacular collapse in 2018 that saw 3,000 people lose their jobs.
Berenberg hikes target price on Fevertree
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on drinks maker Fevertree from 790p to 920p on Monday as it put the spotlight on its US partnership with Molson Coors.
UK regulator mulls Chinese auditing change to encourage London listings
The Financial Reporting Council announced on Monday that it is consulting on proposed changes to auditing rules that would allow auditors of London-listed, China-based companies to use Chinese auditing rules.
Cambridge Cognition inks deal with India-based Ivory
Cambridge Cognition announced on Monday that it has entered into a commercialisation agreement with India-based brain health platform Ivory to deploy its ‘CANTAB Pathway’ digital cognitive assessment tool across healthcare and consumer health markets in India.
Helium One reports higher flow rates from southern Rukwa testing
Helium One Global said on Monday that electrical submersible pump testing at its ITW-1 well in the southern Rukwa Helium Project had demonstrated materially higher flow rates and supported the launch of a strategic farmout process, as it seeks a development partner.
United Oil completes first stage of Walton-Morant exploration
United Oil & Gas said on Monday that it has completed the first stage of its surface geochemical exploration programme on the Walton-Morant licence offshore Jamaica, marking an operational milestone in the basin-scale evaluation of the asset.
Mercia investee Tozaro raises £6m in funding round
Mercia Asset Management said on Monday that its portfolio company Tozaro had raised £6m in a funding round led by Mercia to support the commercialisation of its ‘Smart Polymer’ technology.
Beazley extends 'put up or shut up' deadline as Zurich due diligence progresses
Beazley said on Monday that the deadline for Zurich Insurance to make a firm takeover bid has been extended.
SpaceandPeople flags rise in full-year revenue
SpaceandPeople said on Monday that it expects to report a significant rise in revenue for the year ended 31 December, supported by growth across its UK brand-focused activities and German retail operations.