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Home Retail slumps as Steinhoff backs out, Sainsbury's ups bid
Shares in Argos owner Home Retail Group tumbled in afternoon trade after Steinhoff International Holdings abandoned the chase in favour of a bid for Darty, clearing the path for Sainsbury’s, which later upped its bid.
Sector movers: Sentiment cools towards homebuilders
Homebuilders were under the cosh at the end of the week, dragged lower by a negative reaction to the latest trading statement out of Berkeley Group.
Director dealings: BHP's Broomhead, F&C's Ross splash out
BHP Billiton director Malcolm Broomhead showed his faith in the company by purchasing 10,000 shares on Friday at AUD$17. 34 a piece. F&C Reals Estate's David Ross spent £18,000 buying 18,760 shares in his firm at 96. 5p each.
Europe close: Week of information ends with stocks higher
European stocks nudged higher on Friday, struggling for direction following recent gains at the end of a week full of decisions, announcements and data releases.
Small caps news round-up
AIM-listed Good Energy posted a 44% rise in customer numbers in 2015 as more people opted to sign up with smaller energy firms. In its preliminary results for the 12 months to the end of December, the renewable energy company said customer numbers rose to 219,400 from 152,500 in 2014. Electricity customer numbers were up 32% to around 68,000 while gas customers grew 55% to 38,800.
London close: Stocks close lower as oil prices waver
The FTSE closed slightly lower on Friday as the rally in oil prices snapped and a key survey showed an unexpected fall in US consumer confidence.
Fastjet director resigns amid row with easyGroup
Fastjet's public spat with easyGroup led to the resignation of a board member late on Friday afternoon.
FTSE 250 movers: Pubcos up on recommendations
The FTSE 250 was trending up in afternoon trading on Friday, as investors ended the week seemingly pleased with the raft of events and data it presented.
US open: Stocks lifted by rally in oil prices
US stocks were lifted on Friday by a jump in oil prices on expectations of a production freeze by major exporters to address the supply glut.
Soft drink firms hit back at UK sugar tax plans
Britain's soft drinks industry hit back at government plans to introduce a tax on sugary beverages, saying it would do nothing to reduce obesity rates.
FTSE 100 movers: Sports Direct rallies ahead of demotion; Berkeley slumps
London’s FTSE 100 index was up 0. 1% to 6,207. 94 as investors paused to take stock of a week jam-packed full of events, including the Budget and the Bank of England rate announcement.
Zegona in talks to acquire Spanish mobile network Yoigo
Zegona Communications confirmed press speculation it was in very early talks to acquire Spanish mobile operator Yoigo on Friday, but warned the market nothing was set in stone.
Michigan consumer sentiment unexpectedly drops in March
The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index unexpectedly fell in March, to a reading of 90. 0 from 91. 7 in February and versus expectations of 92. 2.
Arria completes another round of fundraising
Arria NLG completed a fresh round of fundraising through the issue of notes on Friday, as it continued to explore options to generate longer term capital.
Nomura downgrades StanChart, HSBC, Barclays
China's economy was set to slow more sharply than most analysts were expecting, leading to a further devaluation of the country's currency, the yuan, which in turn would weigh on the broader emerging market currency space and business for the likes of HSBC and StanChart, Nomura said.
Starwood agrees to "superior" Anbang deal; bidding war may be on cards
Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced plans to end its deal with Marriott Hotels in favour of what it deemed to be a better offer from a consortium led by China’s Anbang Insurance Group.
UK's Osborne faces rebellion over disability benefit cuts
British Finance Minister George Osborne found himself in the firing line once again over one of his Budget proposals as Conservative MPs threatened to rebel over plans to cut disability benefits.
Claims for train delays should be made easier for UK passengers, says watchdog
Compensation for train delays in the UK should be made easier for millions of rail passengers affected by services, the industry watchdog has proposed.
Sports Direct surges ahead of demotion from FTSE 100
Shares in Sports Direct International surged on Friday, with traders attributing the push higher to short-covering ahead of the stock’s demotion to the FTSE 250 next week.