IN BRIEF: Santander hires PayPal's Prabhu as Digital Consumer chief

LONDON MARKET MIDDAY: European blue-chips in minor gain before US data

Global company events calendar - next 7 days

UK shareholder meetings calendar - next 7 days

UK dividends calendar - next 7 days

UK earnings, trading statements calendar - next 7 days

GLOBAL BROKER RATINGS: JPMorgan raises RTL and Publicis

Aferian shares jump on swing to profit in second-half of year

Close Brothers can appeal Hopcraft case, UK Supreme Court says

IN BRIEF: Rheinmetall gets EUR161 million Czech Republic tanks order

Heidelberg and Holcim Australia joint venture buys Buckeridge division

RM shares surge as it expects to blaze ahead of profit expectations