With many trading desks deserted in the run-up to the New Year volumes are light amid the expected dearth of corporate news in early trade on Friday. In the final trading day of 2016 the blue-chip FTSE 100 index staggers around 24 points lower, or roughly 0.3%, to 7,096, having closed at a record 7,120.26 on Thursday, boosted by precious metals miners such as Fresnillo (FRES) and Randgold...

London markets are predictably quiet on a shortened New Year's Eve session with precious little corporate news to provide direction for share prices. The FTSE 100 index slides modestly, losing roughly 15 points, or 0.2%, to 6,263, although midcaps nudge lower still, the FTSE 250 off 0.3% at 17,467.Oil prices will be likely again be in focus on Thursday after a decline sent equities into the...

Oil downside protectionTwo derivatives deals in the oil market suggest a significant producer is guarding against another collapse in the price of crude. The purchases of put options are set to pay out if crude slips below $53 a barrel in 2016. Currently the US WTI benchmark is at around $60 and its European counterpart Brent at just more than $63. (TS)Darty aims for growthRisk-tolerant...

FTSE indices make modest gains ahead of the four-day Easter weekend with oil stock, supermarkets and financial stocks contributing. Wall St fell overnight, but Asian markets firmed. Investors are distracted by Iran nuclear talks, bloodshed in Yemen and the Greek debt soap opera.In early trade on Thursday the benchmark FTSE 100 index is up around 7 points, or 0.1%, at 6,816, although midcaps...

UK market open heavily down as weak oil prices continue to weigh and investors turn their backs on utilities. Miners shrug-off some of the economic gloom that has surround the industry of late, particularly from China, with hopes strengthening over further stimulus in Beijing, but Greece concerns still dog market sentiment.The FTSE 100 is slumps close on 70 points in early trade on Monday, or...

UK shares make strong running in early trading on Thursday as a string of supermarket and other retail positives, financial issues and resources companies rally. The prices of WTI and Brent crude continues to straddle the $50 a barrel level and the market will be keeping a keen eye on the Bank of England's interest-rate call at midday.Shortly after the opening for business the benchmark FTSE...

Future funding issues and technical test challenges facing micro combined heat and power (mCHP) boiler designer Inspirit Energy (INSP:AIM) means retail investors should steer clear for now.The company raised £1 million at 1.4p in a share placing 26 June, a rough 10% discount to the-then prevailing 1.55p share price. Encouragingly, chief executive officer John Gunn invested £50,000 of his own...

Future funding issues and technical test challenges facing micro combined heat and power (mCHP) boiler designer Inspirit Energy (INSP:AIM) means retail investors should steer clear for now.The company raised £1 million at 1.4p in a share placing 26 June, a rough 10% discount to the-then prevailing 1.55p share price. Encouragingly, chief executive officer John Gunn invested £50,000 of his own...