Market Pulse
US close: Stocks extend two-month highs as rate rise horizon fades
Wall Street closed the week in upbeat mood as mixed micro- and macroeconomic data left traders confident the Federal Reserve will hold fire on rates for longer.
Tata Steel set to slash 1,200 jobs
Tata Steel UK is expected to announce 1,200 job cuts next week as the sector comes under pressure.
FX round-up: ECB may talk down the euro, traders say
The single currency drifted lower on the last day of the week, with traders highlighting that it might have strengthened too much for the European Central Bank's comfort.
Sector movers: Food and drug retailers boost markets
Supermarkets helped boost the London markets as they closed for the week following low Eurozone inflation fuelled stimulus hopes.
Koovs directors invest GPB1.1m in company
Three key directors of Koovs have all subscribed to new shares in the company with a total value of £1. 1m.
Europe close: Equities end the week on upbeat note as CPI holds steady
European stocks rose on Friday, taking their cue from upbeat sessions in the US and Asia as investors were buoyed by the prospect of continued easing policies from the major central banks.
London close: Stocks end higher as traders weigh US data, Eurozone CPI
The UK equity market finished the week on a high as US data came in better than forecast and low Eurozone inflation fuelled stimulus hopes.
Commodities: Oil prices waver after week of losses
Oil prices on Friday wavered following a week of heavy losses amid signs of a global supply glut.
BP and CNPC said to be set to unveil alliance
Oil giant BP and China National Petroleum Corp will reportedly unveil a strategic alliance next week to develop oil resources in Iraq and other regions.
Uni Michigan confidence index beats expectations in October
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index beat expectations in October, data released on Friday showed.
SyQic launches "click to pay" platform
SyQic has launched its new "click to pay" payment platform for its Yoomob product.
Broker tips: Diageo, Icap, ABF
HSBC initiated coverage of Diageo at ‘hold’ with a 1,830p price target, which implies 1% downside to the current share price.
FTSE 250 movers: ICAP slumps on downgrade; Provident Financial rallies on results
London’s FTSE 250 index was down 0. 1% to 16,927. 90 at 1445 BST, underperforming the broader market, which rose amid hopes of further central bank stimulus.
US job openings miss forecast in August
The number of job openings in the US declined in August, figures released on Friday showed.
FTSE 100 movers: Shire's schadenfreude as FDA holds up AstraZeneca
The FTSE 100 was up 28. 77 points (0. 45%) mid-afternoon Friday to 6,367. 44 as hopes of further stimulus measures by the European Central Bank increase on the back of continued low Eurozone inflation figures.
US open: Equities edge higher after industrial production data
US stocks edged higher early on Friday, as investors looked to extend the rallies of the previous session.
Bank Rate to rise sooner rather than later, MPC's Forbes says
Britain’s economy will continue its expansion despite all the hyperbole in financial markets regarding the slowdown in emerging markets; hence Bank Rate is headed higher “sooner rather than later”, the Monetary Policy Committee’s Kristin Forbes said in a speech.
US industrial production's September decline largely in line with expectations
US industrial production declined in line with expectations in September, figures released on Friday showed.
Government urged to save UK steel industry
The UK government has been urged by the unions to take action and save the British steel industry, after the sector suffered another major blow this month.