Latest News
FirstGroup inks £500m train lease deal to bolster open-access operations
FirstGroup announced a £500m lease agreement with Angel Trains and Hitachi Rail for 14 new five-car class 80X high-speed trains on Friday, to support its open-access rail operations.
US pre-open: Futures slightly lower ahead of NFP reading
Wall Street futures were in the red ahead of the bell on Friday as major indices retreated from their record highs a day earlier.
Europe midday: Stoxx extends gains on positive eurozone GDP data
European shares extended gains on Friday as investors assessed the fallout from the collapse of the French government and subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier, while upbeat eurozone GDP data boosted sentiment.
London midday: FTSE flat ahead of payrolls; Direct Line surges on takeover
London stocks were still steady by midday on Friday as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report, with deal news in focus as Direct Line agreed to be taken over by Aviva.
Mercia to invest another £4m in Netacea
Mercia Asset Management announced a £4m follow-on investment in Netacea Group, a specialist in AI-driven defense against bot attacks, on Friday.
Guardian owner agrees deal to sell Observer to Tortoise Media
The Guardian owner, the Scott Trust, has announced that the sale of The Observer to Tortoise Media has been agreed in principle, in a deal that will see the media investment firm take a stake in Tortoise.
Europe open: Shares edge ahead as France stays in focus
European shares were marginally higher on Friday as investors assessed the fallout from the collapse of the French government and subsequent resignation of Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
Jefferies cuts United Utilities and Severn Trent to 'hold'
Jefferies has downgraded both United Utilities and Severn Trent from 'buy' to 'hold' ahead of this month's Ofwat final regulatory proposals, saying that the risk-reward looks more balanced at current valuations.
Likewise sees particularly positive trading in October and November
Floor coverings business Likewise Group said on Friday that trading in October and November had been "particularly positive", with its like-for-like performance showing "strong growth" year-on-year.
Asia report: Markets mostly fall, China pops ahead of conference
Asia-Pacific markets displayed a mixed performance on Friday, with Chinese stocks leading gains ahead of an anticipated policy meeting, while other regional markets tracked Wall Street's overnight decline.
Eurozone GDP growth picks up in Q2
Economic output in the euro area rose more quickly over the three months ending in September than over the preceding quarter, as Germany skirted recession and aggregate demand in Ireland spiked.
National World 'minded to recommend' improved offer from Media Concierge
National World said on Friday that it was "minded to recommend" a final and improved takeover offer from Media Concierge Limited at 23p per share in cash.
SDX Energy to delist shares from AIM
Exploration and production SDX Energy revealed on Friday that it will look to delist from London's AIM market and become a private company.
Frasers launches bid to take over Norway's XXL
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group said on Friday that it was launching a voluntary offer for all the shares in Norwegian sporting goods retailer XXL that it does not already own at 10 Norwegian kroner per share.
James Halstead trades in line with management expectations
Floorings business James Halstead said on Friday that trading in the current financial year was on track to meet internal expectations of "continued progress".
Quiz shares slump as group warns of potential need for further funding
Clothing business Quiz warned on Friday that it may require additional funding as decreased footfall weighed on sales in the three months ended 30 November.
Camellia launches buyback after completing BF&M stake sale
AIM-listed food producer Camellia has launched a £9m share buyback plan to return capital to shareholders following the completion of the $100m sale of its stake in Bermuda and Caribbean-focused insurer BF&M.
Rockfire Resources raises £0.66m in placing, proposes retail offer
Metals and critical minerals explorer Rockfire Resources has raised £0. 66m, it announced on Friday, to fund the development of its Molaoi project in Greece and support the company’s working capital requirements.
London open: Stocks steady ahead of payrolls; Direct Line jumps
London stocks were steady in early trade on Friday as investors mulled the latest UK house price data and looked ahead to the release of the US non-farm payrolls report, with deal news in focus as Direct Line agreed to be taken over by Aviva.
Berkeley Group profits fall as it lays out strategy
Berkeley Group reported a pre-tax profit of £275. 1m for the six months ended 31 October on Friday, a 7. 7% decline compared to the prior year.