Latest News
London close: Stocks rise as US jobs report lowers chance of June rate hike
The FTSE 100 finished slightly higher on Friday as analysts wrote off a June rate hike after a disappointing US non-farm payrolls report.
Market overview: Stocks edge higher, precious metals miners leap forward
1630:Close A moderately weaker than expected reading on US non-farm payrolls for April saw several major brokers push back their calls for the next Fed rate hike to September of 2016. That gave gold futures a leg up and boosted shares of precious metals miners, with the likes of Centamin carving out a new 52-week high. High-yielding shares such as those of Pearson also got a bid on the back of those economic headlines. StanChart and HSBC were conspicuously lower ahead of this weekend’s slate of Chinese data.
Precious metals miners jump as Fed rate hike calls pushed back
Precious metals miners and engineers gained the most in the wake of a US jobs report for April that saw several of the world's largest brokers push back their forecasts for the timing of the US Federal Reserve's next interest rate hike in 2016 to September and the greenback weaken.
US non-farm payrolls rise a less-than-forecast 160,000 in April
The US added less jobs than expected in April as the struggling mining sector continued to reduce its labour force, according to official data on Friday.
Labour's Khan wins London mayoral race
Sadiq Khan has 'won' the London mayoral race with 44% of the ballots cast in his favour, according to provisional results.
Week ahead: China data at the top of the agenda
With the latest set of US jobs figures out of the way (and after several top brokers pushed out their forecast for the next Fed rate hike to September) the spotlight will shift back to Asia next week, markets' other bubgear of late.
Rolls Royce's finance chief buys into restructuring story
Rolls Royce’s finance chief, David Smith, added to his position in the company’s share price on the same day that management told shareholders overall trading in the first few months of the year had been in-line with expectations.
Europe close: Stocks recover as timing of Fed hike pushed back
European stocks managed to trim their losses on Friday as a weaker than expected reading on the state of the US jobs market led several of the world's largest brokers to push back their forecasts for the timing of the next interest rate hike from the US central bank.
Petrofac to book £70m charge on Laggan-Tormore
Oil and gas support services firm Petrofac expects to recognise a final charge of £70m in the first half of the year after reaching final commercial settlement with one of its clients in respect of the Laggan-Tormore gas plant in the Shetland Isles.
Small caps news round-up
East Africa-focused gold producer Shanta Gold swung to a pre-tax loss of $18. 1m in 2015 compared with a profit of $16. 6m the year before as gold sales and revenue per ounce fell. Revenue fell to $95. 7m from $114. 9m as the average realised gold price dropped to $1,163 per ounce from $1,289.
Proton Power shrinks sales and losses in 2015
Designer and producer of fuel cells and electric hybrid systems, Proton Power Systems, reported on a year of reduced sales but a narrower loss on Friday.
Metal Tiger buys more of Conroy Gold
Natural resources project investor Metal Tiger announced a further investment in Conroy Gold and Natural Resources on Friday.
US open: Stocks fall after non-farm payrolls disappoint
US stocks fell on Friday as the non-farm payrolls report came in worse than expected.
High-level shuffles at Forbidden Technologies
Video software owner and developer Forbidden Technologies did some high-level shuffling on Friday, promoting non-executive director David Main to non-executive chairman.
Slovenia court rips up permit for Ascent Resources project
European oil and gas exploration and production company Ascent Resources revealed a disappointing development on the decision from the Administrative Court of Slovenia over its IPCC environmental permit application.
IAG traffic rises 11% in April
British Airways and Iberia parent International Consolidated Airlines said group traffic, as measured in revenue passenger kilometres, rose 10. 9% in April from last year.
Government backs down from academisation policy
The Government u-turned on its controversial policy to turn all of England’s schools into academies on Friday afternoon.
Shanta Gold swings to loss, completes placing
East Africa-focused gold producer Shanta Gold swung to a pre-tax loss of $18. 1m in 2015 compared with a profit of $16. 6m the year before as gold sales and revenue per ounce fell.
