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Federal Reserve should raise interest rates gradually, says Evans
Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans struck a dovish tone on Friday, saying the central bank should raise interest rates gradually, emphasising the need for more progress on inflation, although he was optimistic price gains would materialise given job gains and the prospect for easier fiscal policy.
Directors dealings: Spouse of JD Wetherspoon director unloads shares near resistance
The spouse of JD Wetherspoon's Operations Director, Helena Geoghegan, sold £47,284. 42-worth of shares in the pub company on 2 February, the company said in a statement.
Sector movers: Financials pace gains
Insurers and banks led the way in the last session of the week, with the former boosted by Beazley's full-year numbers and the latter by news that US financial sector regulation was about to be easened up.
Bonds: Gilt yields end near session-lows
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bonds:.
FX round-up: Sterling, dollar fall as glum traders react to UK, US data
Sterling and the US dollar are southbound on most major crosses late on Friday as glum traders digest weaker than expected UK services PMI data and, in the US, cooling wage growth and an uptick in the jobless rate.
Week ahead: UK industrial production and trade figures in the spotlight
Data over the coming week was expected to taper off given the multiple high-frequency indicators and central bank meetings around the world over the prior seven-day stretch.
Europe close: Stocks rise on banks amid expectations of Dodd-Frank rules review
European stocks ended Friday on a positive note as banks zipped north on expectations US President Donald Trump will order a review of Dodd-Frank bank rules with a view to relaxation.
Deutsche Bank hikes targets on UK capital goods names
Analysts at Deutsche Bank hiked their target prices on several names in the UK capital goods space ahead of the start of the earnings season for the group, with Spectris's results scheduled for release on 14 February.
London close: Banks lead FTSE higher after Dodd-Frank reports
The FTSE 100 closed in the green on Friday, led by banking shares following reports US President Donald Trump is seeking to repeal the 2010 Dodd-Frank law.
Clear Leisure enters into convertible loan facility with Eufingest
Clear Leisure announced on Friday that it has entered into an unsecured convertible loan facility agreement with Eufingest, a Swiss investor and major shareholder in the company.
FTSE 250 movers: Beazley comes out on top; miners fall
The FTSE 250 index rose 0. 89% to 18,421. 49 at 1609 GMT on Friday.
Small cap round up
Anpario, a producer of natural feed additives for animal health, is to buy its Australia-based distributor Cobbett for up to AU$1m, in order to strengthen its sales and distribution channels. Cobbett has been Anpario's distributor since 1987 supplying the Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea markets with a number of Anpario's products including Salkil, pHorce, Neutox, Mycostat and Mastercube.
Keras Resources repays loan note
Keras Resources announced on Friday that it has repaid the loan note in the principal amount of £563,889, as detailed in an announcement it made on 1 February 2016.
US non-farm payrolls increase more than expected in January
Job creation Stateside picked up at the start of the year, amid stronger hiring in both the manufacturing and services sector.
FTSE 100 movers: Financials gain but miners slump on China news
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 8% to 7,196. 59 in afternoon trade as investors digested the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
US open: Stocks in the green as investors weigh non-farm payrolls
US stocks were in the green on Friday following a mixed jobs report, while bank stocks surged after reports of financial deregulation and as the dollar sank.
Results round-up
Insurer Beazley reported a 3% jump in full-year profit on Friday as premiums written increased and the company lifted its dividend.
Commodities: Crude firms on new Iran sanctions as copper ebbs on China rate hike
Crude-oil futures are firming moderately on Friday afternoon as the US imposed fresh sanctions on Iran for testing its ballistic missile programme.
Johnston Press recovers after tough post-Brexit vote period
Multimedia company Johnston Press, owner of brands like The Scotsman and The Yorkshire Post, has reported an improvement in trading in the fourth quarter after a 5% fall in revenue during the aftermath of the Brexit vote.