YesOdd in the morning. Markets are once again in wait-and-see mode as results continue in key states of the U.S. presidential election.
It’s been a long slogan, but Georgia seems particularly close to a result, with Democrat candidate Joe Biden outperforming President Donald Trump.
European stocks closed slightly higher after several days of strong gains and are about to sink slightly in the open in less than an hour.
5 things to start your day
1) Watchdog warns Brexit border breach: A National Audit Office (NAO) report predicted “massive disruptions” at British borders from 1 January, partly due to the delayed work of the Covid-19.
2) Jojo Maman BB Boss Compulsory Store Closes Hit: Founder Laura Tennyson said it does not include “extraordinary” pregnancies, new babies and toddlers’ clothing and equipment on the list of essential items.
3) Rail tunnels in Northern Ireland under consideration: Boris Johnson has blessed the decision of Sir Peter Hendy, chairman of Network Rail, to conduct a review of a link between Strener and Learn.
4) Apollo removes interest in William Hill: William Hill’s bidder, Apollo Global Management, is more focused on Booker’s European campaign than the company as a whole.
5) Work wherever you want, wherever you want, Stanchart tells staff: The bank is giving employees the option to choose the desired hour, day and location and is negotiating to provide workplaces “near home”.
What happened overnight
Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday after Wall Street rose in the long-term vote count following this week’s U.S. election.
Tokyo and Sydney have advanced while Shanghai and Hong Kong have declined. Seoul is torn between profit and loss.
The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.5pc to 3,302.02, while Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.9pc to a 29-year high. Hong Kong’s Hang Senang fell 0.3pc to 25,617.47.
In Seoul, the Kospi was less than 0.1pc in the mid-term of 2.451.6.77. The S&P-ASX 200 0.9 PC in Sydney has been upgraded to 6,193.20.
Singapore has declined while New Zealand and Jakarta have gained.
Coming today
Corporate: Decrease (Full year results); Electricity, Morgan Advanced Material (Business statement)
Economy: Halifax home price index (UK); Industrial production (Germany, Spain); Farmless wages, unemployment, earnings (Us)
