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The 10 biggest business stories on Monday November 16

Markets react to Paris attacks; Japan falls back into recession; Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey is optimistic about the UK housing market

Zlata Rodionova
Monday 16 November 2015 09:43 GMT
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A bird flies in front of the Eiffel Tower ,which remained closed on the first of three days of national mourning in Paris
A bird flies in front of the Eiffel Tower ,which remained closed on the first of three days of national mourning in Paris (AP)

1. The value of stocks, crude oil and the European currency will likely fall this week as investors worry about what the Paris terror attacks will do to consumer confidence and key parts of the global economy.

2. European inflation figures are coming at 11am UK time. The month-on-month change in the consumer price index for October is published. It was up 0.2 per cent last month, and is expected to increase 0.1 per cent this time around.

3. The box-office duo of James Bond and Charlie Brown again dominated North American movie theatres over the weekend. Spectre, the 24th Bond instalment and last week's top film, took in $35.4 million in its second weekend, according to studio estimates.

4. Majestic Wine reported £181.6 million in sales for the 26 weeks to September 28 2015, a 36 per cent increase on last year, but profits were down 50 per cent due to charges and investments.

5. Japan's economy has contracted for a second consecutive quarter, putting it into recession. GDP shrank 0.8 per cent between July and September, having fallen 0.7 per cent the previous quarter.

6. Britain's biggest online shopping fixture Black Friday is dividing the retail industry, with a third of major retailers saying it is unprofitable while the same number believe it provides a major fillip, research by LCP Consulting shows.

7. Nationwide has hired Joe Garner, head of BT's Openreach business, as its new chief executive. He will join in spring.

8. Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey is optimistic about the UK housing market, even with the prospect of an interest rate rise next year, announcing it expects to improve its operating profit margin in 2015.

9. New Confederation of British Industry (CBI) director-general Carolyn Fairbairn says the group will listen to Eurosceptic members. Eurosceptic groups have recently criticised the CBI for being too pro-EU.

10. Fashion retailers are rolling out the discounts early for the second autumn in a row after warmer than average weather hit sales of coats and knitwear. Marks & Spencer is offering 20 per cent off coats and jackets and up to 60 per cent off selected other items, despite its efforts to cut back on discounting, the Guardian reports.

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