Latest News
Volkswagen skids to loss after huge emissions provision
Volkswagen Group has careered to a €1. 3bn pre-tax loss after being forced to set aside a massive €16. 2bn (£12. 67bn) provision for the global vehicle emissions scandal.
Steinhoff-Conforama up Darty stake and offer 160p to all investors
South Africa-backed Steinhoff International has upped its stake in France-focused electronics retailer Darty at 160p and offered to buy other shareholders' stock at the same price as it battles long-running French suitor Fnac.
Negative interest rates in UK best avoided, BoE's Vlieghe says
Interest rates in the UK could conceivably go "a little bit negative" one of the Monetary Policy Committee's members said.
No debt deal for Greece yet, Eurogroup president says
One of Europe’s top-ranking economic officials sounded a positive note ahead of a meeting to discuss Greece’s progress on its third bail-out programme.
IMF boss Lagarde reacts coolly to latest Greek deficit figures
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde reacted coolly to data out on the previous day showing that Greece might have managed to beat Brussels target for belt-tightening.
Spain needs to get a handle on spending by profligate regions, Fitch says
Spain needed to get a handle on spending by its regional governments, but even the central government’s budget deficit in Madrid failed to register any improvement last year when adjusted for the effects of the economic cycle, one of the top three sovereign debt ratings agencies said.
Merlin Entertainments faces 'very large fine' for Alton Towers Smiler crash
Merlin Entertainments, the operator of Alton Towers theme park, has admitted breaking health and safety laws over the Smiler rollercoaster crash last June that left five passengers with life-changing injuries.
Broker tips: Sainsbury's, Sky, Northgate
Deutsche Bank upgraded Sainsbury's to 'buy' from 'hold' due to the expected benefit to earnings from the pending Argos acquisition and the supermarket's reduced level of price promotions.
McDonald's serves up tasty quarterly earnings
McDonald's served up a fat set of first-quarter results, with revenues and earnings and results both beating forecasts.
US pre-open: Stock futures fall as earnings disappoint
US equities are expected to open lower on Friday as investors sift through disappointing corporate earnings and await a report on US manufacturing.
Premaitha Health patent dispute reaches new level
Non-invasive prenatal screening system developer Premaitha Health saw one if its patent disputes reach a new level early on Friday, as its competitor Illumina initiated infringement proceedings against Genoma - one of Premaitha’s customers - in Switzerland.
Europe midday: Stocks drift lower as corporate results, Daimler investigation weigh
Stocks were drifting lower going into the weekend, weighed down by slightly weaker than expected readings on the euro area economy and a spate of poor quarterly corporate reports out on Wall Street overnight.
B.P. Marsh sells stake in Broucour
Niche venture capital provider B. P. Marsh & Partners confirmed a major disposal on Friday, selling its 49% stake in the Broucour Group to its founder and managing director Rupert Cattell for £341,000.
London midday: Mining stocks drag FTSE lower
UK equities edged lower on Friday with mining shares leading the declines as investors weighed worse-than-expected Eurozone manufacturing data.
Prudential's Aki to become Hiscox finance chief
Hiscox revealed its next group chief financial officer on Friday, announcing Hamayou Akbar Hussain - known to many as Aki - will join the insurer later this year.
Obama calls on UK to remain in EU
US President Barack Obama arrived in London on Friday with an impassioned plea for the UK to remain inside the European Union.
Daimler dragged into emissions investigations by US authorities
Shares in German automaker Daimler fell more than 5% in morning trading in Frankfurt on Friday, after news emerged that the US Department of Justice asked the firm to investigate its emissions testing processes.
Liberum sees value in housebuilders after sector subsidence
Broker Liberum has upgraded housebuilders Barratt Developments and Persimmon to 'hold' as it toned down its caution on the sector, but said Taylor Wimpey remained a 'sell'.
Mixed European services and manufacturing PMI adds gloom
April data on German and French service and manufacturing sector was mixed, leading to a surprise fall in the eurozone composite PMI, according to 'flash' purchasing managers' index readings from Markit.
Deutsche Bank upgrades Sainsbury's on Argos margin potential
Deutsche Bank upgraded Sainsbury's to 'buy' from 'hold' due to the expected benefit to earnings from the pending Argos acquisition and the supermarket's reduced level of price promotions.