Today's Closing Update

U.S. Shares were mixed, with the US500 on track for its first decline of the year, as investors assessed the prospects for corporate earnings, while the dollar strengthened after three straight weekly declines.

 

European shares were mixed with French and German shares buoyed by record growth of European basic materials output in December.

 

Shire said that following the first stage of its strategic review started in August 2017, it will operate through two divisions: Rare Disease and Neuroscience. The reasons behind the division restructure is that Shire’s rare disease business already has a track record of sustained growth and will seek to invest organically and inorganically to build up its pipeline.

 

Soco International shares rose after the oil and gas company confirmed that it is in talks with Middle East based peer Kuwait Energy PLC over a possible merger of equals. SOCO said a potential “merger of equals” would fit into its plan to strategically reshape the business and grow its portfolio. The company stressed talks are at preliminary stages and said there is no certainty of an agreement.

 

ZPG said it is proposing a new debt package consisting of issuing £200 million in senior notes due in 2023 and agreeing a new £200 million revolving credit facility with lenders. The property website company will use the funds as well as cash on hand to “strengthen” its financial position by refinancing its existing loans and revolving credit facilities.

 

House prices grew much more slowly in 2017 than in the previous year, the UK’s largest mortgage lender has reported. The Halifax said prices rose by 2.7% in 2017 – compared with a 6.5% increase in 2016. On a calendar year basis, that is the lowest rise since 2012. The slowdown was driven by a squeeze on real wage growth and continuing uncertainty over the economy, it said.

 

Hollywood Bowl Group said Standard Life Aberdeen built a 5.4% stake in the bowling alley operator in a transaction on Friday. Insurer and investment manager Standard Life Aberdeen held 8.1 million shares in Hollywood Bowl, equivalent to a 5.37% stake in the 150.0 million shares outstanding in the firm.

 

Oil prices were mixed, struggling to hold on to robust gains made last week on tighter stocks in the U.S. and perceived risks to global supply.

 

Gold edged down, retreating further from last week’s 3-1/2 month high as the dollar clawed back some ground against the buoyant euro

Market Close

Market Index Change % Change
UK 100 7,696.5 -27.7 -0.4%
UK 250 20,856.6 -76.0 -0.4%
GER 30 13,367.8 +48.1 +0.4%
FRA 40 5,487.4 +16.7 +0.3%
U.S. 30 25,259.51 -36.36 -0.1%
U.S. 500 2,742.5 -0.7 -0.0%
OIL (BRENT) 67.60 -0.02 -0.0%
GOLD 1,316.72 -2.87 -0.2%

UK Risers & Fallers

Company Price Change % Change
G4S 286.30 +11.10 +4.0%
Tesco 214.30 +4.60 +2.2%
FDM Group (Holdings) 965.0 +41.0 +4.4%
Micro Focus International 2145.0 -437.0 -16.9%
Shire 3664.50 -210.5 -5.4%
Hikma Pharmaceuticals 1079.0 -50.0 -4.4%

Reported Economic Data

Time/Date Previous Forecast Outcome
9:30am: U.K. Halifax HPI m/m 0.5% 0.2% -0.6%

 

Sources

 

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1515430042769681100.html

 

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1515423128769518000.html

 

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1515416393389313100.html

 

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1515410764959107100.html

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42602990

 

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/european-stocks-edge-higher-buoyed-by-record-growth-in-european-basic-materials-output-cm901545

 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-07/asia-stocks-point-higher-as-earnings-season-begins-markets-wrap

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/oil-extends-advance-on-supply-risks-falling-inventory-1515411385

 

https://uk.reuters.com/article/global-precious/precious-gold-dips-further-from-3-1-2-month-peak-as-dollar-fights-back-idUKL4N1P32TM

Subscribe to our Award-winning Newsletter

We provide daily market data in the form of our award-winning newsletter, The Morning Call and The Market Close.
You can subscribe to this information at any time to help you make the most of your investment.

Quick Sign-up

Recommendations: Collins Sarri Statham Investments Ltd (CSS) does not in any of its publications take into account any particular recipient's investment objectives, financial situation, and specific needs and demands. Therefore, all CSS publications are, unless otherwise specifically stated, intended for informational and/or marketing purposes only.CSS shall not be responsible for any loss arising from any investment based on a perceived recommendation.

No publication (including recommendations) shall be construed as a representation or warranty that the recipient will profit, nor avoid sustaining losses, from trading in accordance with a trading strategy set forth in a publication.

Risk Warning: Trading in the products and services offered by Collins Sarri Statham Investments Ltd (CSS) may, result in losses as well as profits as the value of investments may go down as well as up. You may not get back the full amount you have invested.

Any reference to past performance should not be viewed as an indication of any future performance.

Investments held in overseas markets are subject to the effects of changes in exchange rates which will impact on the value of the underlying investment.

Investments made in AIM and penny shares carry an increased risk due to the difficulty in creating a market in these shares. There may be a substantial difference in the buy and sell price.

Leveraged products such as Contracts for Difference (CFDs), derivatives, commodities & Foreign Exchange (FX), carry a higher risk to your capital. They can lose their value rapidly and you may lose substantially more than your initial investment.

Speculative trading is not suitable for all investors: The information contained herein is based on materials and sources that we believe to be reliable however we make no representation or warranty, either express or implied, in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein. Please note that the figures shown may, in some instances, be rounded to the nearest penny. Prices can move sharply from those quoted in this document. Current prices can be verified by calling one of our brokers. CSS is under no obligation to update the information contained herein. Neither CSS, nor its affiliates, nor its employees shall have any liability whatsoever for any indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from the use of this document.

Get Started with CSS

Open an Account

Subscribe to our award winning daily newsletter

Voted "Best Market Newsletter" in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017 by the City of London Wealth Management Awards

Subscribe to our newsletter (Popup)

By signing up to our free email, you are consenting to receive these promotions. The newsletter is sent up to three times per day during the week and up to once per day over the weekend and is directed at UK residents. The newsletter contains company news, market movements, CSS research and promotions and breaking economic news. Occasionally our newsletter will contain advertisements from trusted partners. However, we will never give, sell or rent your email address to any other companies. If you want to stop receiving our free emails you can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of each email. You can read our privacy policy here.

Sending
No, thank you I am already subscribed