Today's Closing Update

U.S. Shares rose in the first trading session of 2018, following steep price increases across global indexes last year.

 

European shares were trading broadly lower in early afternoon trade. A stronger euro weighed on investor sentiment, while by sector, autos and metal and mining stocks all lost ground.

 

Average rail ticket prices have risen by 3.4% across the UK, in the biggest increase to fares since 2013. Many commuters have seen their season tickets go up by more than £100, while campaigners and unions warn many people were being “priced off” UK railways. Andy McDonald, the shadow transport secretary, said the railway network was “fractured, expensive and complex”. The Department for Transport said price rises were capped in line with inflation and improved the network.

 

Growth in the US manufacturing sector accelerated in December, according to figures released. IHS Markit’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose to 55.1 last month from 53.9 in November. This marked the highest reading since March 2015 and signalled a solid improvement in the health of the sector. December data also rounded off the strongest quarterly performance since the start of 2015.

 

Marks & Spencer has confirmed the sale and franchise of its retail business in Hong Kong and Macau to its long-established franchise partner Al-Futtaim. Following the sale, which completed on Saturday, Al-Futtaim – which has worked in partnership with M&S since it opened its first Dubai store in 1998 – becomes the new sole franchisee for M&S in Hong Kong and Macau. Following the purchase of 27 M&S stores in Hong Kong and Macau, Al-Futtaim now operates 72 Marks & Spencer stores across 11 markets in Asia and the Middle East.

 

Chemicals group Synthomer has sold its Leuna site in Germany to Alberdingk Boley for an undisclosed sum. The site was acquired as part of the company’s acquisition of Hexion PAC in 2016. Operational savings related to the Leuna sale form the final part of the group’s $12m synergy target relating to the Hexion PAC acquisition.

 

Glencore has sold its Tahmoor coking coal mine in Australia for an undisclosed sum to GFG Alliance, a British business conglomerate led by Chairman Sanjeev Gupta. GFG Alliance said Tuesday that its SIMEC mining division has signed a binding agreement to acquire the Tahmoor coking coal mine, which was put up for sale by Glencore last year. The mine is located 75 kilometers south west of Sydney.

 

Oil prices hit its highest since late September, extending a year-end rally that saw the metal rise 4.4 percent in the last three weeks of 2017, as a further retreat in the dollar drove prices above $1,310 an ounce.

 

Gold notched their strongest start to a calendar year since 2014, amid anti-government protests in Iran and ongoing OPEC-led production cuts.

Market Close

Market Index Change % Change
UK 100 7,639.6 -48.2 -0.6%
UK 250 20,644.7 -81.69 -0.4%
GER 30 12,855.9 -61.8 -0.5%
FRA 40 5,279.7 -32.9 -0.6%
U.S. 30 24,753.29 +34.07 +0.1%
U.S. 500 2,673.6 -13.9 -0.5%
OIL (BRENT) 66.41 -0.46 -0.7%
GOLD 1,313.02 +10.22 +0.8%

UK Risers & Fallers

Company Price Change % Change
Petra Diamonds 81.63 +4.25 +5.5%
Anglo American 1595 +45.5 +2.9%
Centrica 141.2 +3.9 +2.8%
Rentokill International 307.5 -10.5 -3.3%
Pets at Home 169.7 -5.8 -3.3%
Admiral 1948.5 -53.5 -2.7%

Reported Economic Data

Time/Date Previous Forecast Outcome
10:30am: U.K. Manufacturing PMI 58.2 58.0 56.3

 

Sources:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/asian-stocks-start-2018-on-a-high-note-1514861094

 

http://invezz.com/news/equities/28885-european-shares-start-the-new-year-in-the-red

 

https://www.digitallook.com/news/news-and-announcements/marks-spencer-confirms-sale-of-hong-kong-and-macau-businesses–3051952.html

 

https://www.digitallook.com/news/international-economic/us-manufacturing-pmi-hits-highest-level-since-march-2015—ihs-markit–3052795.html

 

http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/5799266/Synthomer-sells-German-site.html

 

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1514899305542664700.html

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42536159

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/02/oil-prices-iran-unrest-supports-crude-to-strongest-year-opening-since-2014.html

 

https://uk.reuters.com/article/global-precious/precious-gold-hits-3-month-peak-after-late-december-rally-idUKL8N1OX2LY

 

 

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