Huawei Technologies projected a 21% jump in 2018 revenue, showing off a sharp acceleration in top-line growth despite a difficult year in which it struggled to dispel growing concerns about its business and the security of its products.

Shares in MTN Group rose as much as 8.2% on Thursday morning after the JSE-listed telecommunications operator said it had reached a favourable settlement with Nigeria’s central bank.

The British defence secretary has said he has “very deep concerns” about Chinese technology firm Huawei being involved in upgrading the UK’s mobile networks.

Bludgeoned for weeks, a bull market is left for dead, its fate seemingly sealed as session after session of red ink show no sign of letting up. Suddenly, at the last second, a rally – death is averted – and the obituaries go back in the can.

Move over, Netflix: Apple will be the best performing “Faang” stock in 2019, according to veteran analyst Gene Munster.

Amazon.com reported a record-breaking holiday season as shoppers loaded their online baskets with items from Echo speakers to Calvin Klein clothes.