Barclays Share News (BARC)

According to the Financial Times European demand for oil is is rising for the first time in two years, possibly indicating increased economic activity. Yet that may not be the only thing which has been on the increase of late. Thus, and for the first time in a quite a bit, investors have awoken on Monday to find two multi-billion pound transactions involving European companies [and US outfits], French advertising giant Publicis and Irish drug maker Elan. More important even, a growing trickle of market commentary seems to be pointing to the risk that the US Federal Reserve could move to taper its quantitative easing after September, later than what the consensus has until recently been expecting. In that regard, Ric Spooner - Senior Analyst at CMC Markets Australia - calls attention to the decline seen in the US dollar during Asian trading hours today. He explains that: "While news stories are quoting surveys of market analysts indicating a consensus view that the Fed will begin to taper in September, currency markets over the past 3 weeks suggest that the weight of money is now anticipating a later start."Acting as a backdrop, although one should not exaggerate things, some traders are also watching relevant near-term downside technical levels for copper futures and the Japanese yen. In that same regard, overnight Chinese authorities announced that they intend to cap the government spending deficit at 3% of GDP, which some see as another indication that the days of largess are over in the Asian giant.Linked to the above, and continuing with the theme of markets´ worries about risks to growth in the Asian giant, Bloomberg reported over the weekend on how an increasing number of economists are begin to ponder what would be the implications for commodity markets of downside surprises in growth in China. One scenario - put forth by analysts at Barclays - reportedly analyses the impact of a 3% growth in China.Lending to individuals and M4 deposit and lending data for June are released at 9:30.Barclays banks on improved investor sentiment towards sector Barclays could announce a £4bn rights issue on July 30th as part of its plan to boost capital, the Financial Times and other papers reported this past weekend. The bank may also issue hybrid bonds and shrink its balance sheet to meet regulatory demands for a £7bn capital shortfall. It is thought that the lender sees an opportunity to benefit from increased investor interest in its sector. On Friday investors learned that China´s sovereign wealth fund - CIC - has been shifting its asset allocation towards global banks year-to-date, as well as in favour of US equities. WPP is riding higher on the coattails of the weekend announcement of the merger of its two main rivals, French group Publicis and US peer Omnicom, to form a $35bn behemoth. The transaction will see WPP lose its standing as the world´s largest advertising company. Another US firm, Michigan based Perrigo, a maker of over the counter medicines, has agreed to buy Irish rival Elan for $8.6bn to gain a low-tax base for international expansion. That is benefiting Shire stock this morning.Consumer products giant Reckitt Benckiser said full-year revenue growth would be at the upper end of expectations after a strong first half. The company reported revenues rose to £5.0bn in the six months to the end of June from £4.7bn in the same period last year. Hammerson has hiked its interim dividend after it kept it occupancy levels and rental income growth above target. The shopping centre property group said its underlying net rental income grew by 2.5% in the first half compared with 2.1% growth in 2012. It aims for growth in excess of 2% each year.Aberdeen Asset Management saw clients pull a net £3.4bn out of its funds in the three months to the end of June amid volatile market conditions. It said about £2.5bn of the net outflows occurred in June alone but that the outflows were mainly from lower margin products.AB