Market Pulse
US close: Stocks finished mixed after US inflation data
US stocks finished mixed on Friday as oil prices dropped and US inflation edged closer toward's the Federal Reserve's 2% target.
Commodities: Oil heads lower as glut concerns dominate market sentiment
Oil futures were firmly in negative territory on Friday, after gains seen over previous sessions, premised on a call by major producers to freeze production, were overwhelmed by renewed oversupply concerns.
Sector Movers: Fresh oil slump weighs on resource stocks
Resource stocks, with the notable exception of gold miners, registered declines on Friday as both London indices ended the week on a negative note.
London close: Stocks lower as oil prices plunge, investors weigh data
The FTSE 100 ended the week lower as oil prices plunged and as stronger-than-forecast US inflation increase the chances of an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.
Europe close: Markets end week of gains in the red
European stocks ended Friday weaker after a choppy start to the day, putting a dampener on a week of solid gains as traders cashed in their profits.
Market overview: FTSE closes lower as oil plunges
1630 (Close): Stocks drifted down at the end of the week as oil futures moved sharply lower, with precious metals miners on the rise as investors sought refuge. To take note of, ECB chief economist Ignazio Visco was quoted saying that acting pre-emptively and aggressively may mean having to do less. Wall Street was trading in mixed fashion after the release of stronger than expected consumer price data and confident remarks from Cleveland Fed chief Loretta Mester that the economy would come through the current ‘rough patch’ which in her opinion will warrant a gradual tightening in policy.
FX Roundup: Dollar jumps on US inflation data
The dollar headed higher against major forex crosses on Friday, as official data showed US inflation rose above market expectations in January.
US growth to recover after 'rough-patch', Fed's Mester says
The US economy would manage to work through the current 'rough patch' and resume moderate growth, requiring the gradual removal of monetary stimulus, a top US rate-setter said on Friday.
HSBC to offer voice and fingerprint recognition
Forgetting passwords will soon be a thing of the past for HSBC customers as the bank looks to roll out voice recognition and touch ID services by this summer.
Friday newspaper share tips: Centrica, BAE Systems
Calmer waters may lie ahead for Centrica this year if the company's boss can deliver on the promises made to investors, the Financial Times's Lex column said.
US open: Stocks mixed after US inflation rises more than expected
US stocks were mixed on Friday as oil prices fell and US inflation came in stronger than estimated.
Yahoo still considering Alibaba 'reverse spin'
Yahoo was still considering its options over the separation of its core business and the Alibaba wholesale marketplace this week, though a 'reverse spin' - whereby the company would spin off Yahoo, rather than Alibaba - was still on the cards.
LSL Property Services buys stake in Group First
LSL Property Services has acquired a 65% interest in Group First Limited for £9. 1m in cash.
US inflation rises more than expected in January
US inflation rose more than expected in January as the fall in energy prices eased, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed on Friday.
Three to deploy network-wide ad 'blocking' technology
Three UK dealt a blow to mobile advertisers on Friday, tacking what it termed 'escessive and irrelevant' ads on its users mobile handsets.
Week ahead: BoE's Carney and G-20 meeting in focus
The result of the negotiations between the UK and the European Union in Brussels, and their implications, will likely set the tone for the coming week in sterling markets.
Barclays's investment bank head to step down
Barclays's investment bank chief Tom King announced he would retire next month, the lender confirmed on Friday.
China's top securities regulator said to step down
The head of China’s securities regulator, Xiao Gang, is reportedly stepping down to be succeeded by the chairman of Agricultural Bank of China, Liu Shiyu.
Sports Direct drops as Jefferies urges Ashley to take company private
Sports Direct was under the cosh on Friday as Jefferies slashed its price target on the stock to 550p from 800p and called on founder Mike Ashley to take the company private.