Friday broker round-up
Greene King: JPMorgan downgrades to Neutral with a target price of 750p.
UK-US trade deal talks to begin next month - Liam Fox
The UK will begin trade talks with the US over a new post-Brexit agreement on the 24 July, according to Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox.
Euro area CPI slips in June, but core rate picks up
Headline Eurozone inflation dipped in June but the key measure of underlying price pressures picked up.
Game Digital slides after profit warning
Shares in video games retailer Game Digital tanked on Friday after it cautioned that full-year profit will be "substantially" below previous expectations due challenging trading conditions, low supplies of the Nintendo Switch in the UK and softness in its core Xbox and PayStation markets.
UK Q1 GDP growth rate confirmed at 0.2%
The final estimate from the Office for National Statistics confirmed on Friday that UK gross domestic product grew 0. 2% in the first quarter, as expected.
China June manufacturing sector PMI defies forecasts for dip
The results of a Chinese government survey pointed to a sharp pick-up in manufacturing sector activity and robust economic growth in June, but some economists were sceptical.
Europe open: Stocks bounce back after early weakness
Europe's main equity indices recovered after a weak start on the last day of the quarter, with some traders pointing to better-than expected data out of China as the main catalyst behind the turnaround.
UK consumer confidence lowest since Brexit vote - GfK
Consumer confidence in the UK fell to its lowest level since the aftermath of the Brexit vote in June, according to the latest GfK survey.
Greene King hit by JPMorgan downgrade
Greene King slumped on Friday after JPMorgan Cazenove downgraded the stock to 'neutral' from 'overweight' and cut the price target to 750p from 810p as it pointed to the absence of a compelling catalyst to cause a bounce-back.
London open: Stocks in the red as consumer confidence hits lowest since Brexit vote
London stocks edged lower in early trade as investors mulled over an uninspiring survey on UK consumer confidence and looked ahead to the final release of first-quarter GDP figures.
Only 63% of people satisfied with financial situation- Lloyds Report
The number of people feeling positive about their personal finances decreased last month due to rising prices and slow wage growth, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Spending Power Report.
Mayan sees full-year loss increase on Mexico impairments
Mayan Energy reported increased full-year losses as a result of impairments against the value of its US-based and its investment at Shoats Creek, Mexico.
BHP confirms $250m support for Samarco disaster recovery
BHP announced the approval of $250m in financial support for the Renova Foundation and Samarco Mineração until 31 December 2017 on Friday.
Interserve FD Tim Haywood to step down
Support services and construction group Interserve has announced that its finance director, Tim Haywood, will step down from the board at the end of September to pursue other interests.
Serco on track for full year
FTSE 250 service company Serco said on Friday that it remains on track for the full year following a solid performance in the first half.
John Laing pleased with first half portfolio progress
International originator, active investor and manager of infrastructure projects John Laing Group issued a pre-close update for the half-year to 30 June on Friday, reporting it had made investment commitments in two of its three geographical regions during the period - Asia Pacific and Europe.
Peter Bain stepping down from OM Asset Management
Old Mutual affiliate asset manager OM Asset Management announced overnight that Peter Bain was stepping down from his roles as president, chief executive officer and director - positions he had held since 2011 - effective Friday.
London pre-open: Stocks seen weaker on downbeat US and Asian cues
London stocks were set for a weaker open on Friday following negative sessions in the US and Asia and the release of some downbeat UK consumer confidence data.
Friday newspaper round-up: Sky/21st Century, Virgin Media, Brexit
Irish authorities have said they have clinched deals with more than a dozen London-based banks and finance houses to move some of their operations to Dublin in preparation for Brexit. As Dublin continues to battle with Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Paris for the Brexit spoils, the head of international financial services at Ireland’s Industrial Development Authority said definitive decisions had now been taken on an Irish location by these firms. – Guardian.