Market Pulse
Sector Movers: Oil, mining stocks keep London market on positive turf
Oil and mining stocks rose on Friday, to ensure headline London indices ended the week in positive territory.
Commodities: Oil, gold futures rally corrects as weekend approaches
A marginal recovery in oil prices cooled late on Friday, as US traders appeared to book profits on an uptick seen earlier in the session.
Bonds: Stronger than expected US data weigh on Gilts
These were the movements in some of the most widely-followed sovereign 10-year bond yields:.
Europe close: Strong US data, bounce in oil lift equities
European stocks advanced on Friday as oil prices rallied and the latest batch of economic data out of the States came in firmly ahead of economists´ forecasts.
Week ahead: Spotlight shifts to G20 and US jobs report
Market´s attention will shift firmly towards China and US economic data over the coming week.
Tristel directors snap up shares as dividend hiked
A number of Tristel’s directors have snapped up extra shares just days after the AIM-listed company said it is lifting its dividend.
Alibaba said to be looking for up to $4bn loan
Chinese internet company Alibaba Group Holding is reportedly in talks with banks for a loan up to $4bn to fund expansion plans including acquisitions.
Now is the worst possible time to take a gamble on Brexit, Osborne says
Brexit could deliver a "profound economic shock" the chancellor told the BBC´s political editor Laura Kuenssberg.
Gradual interest rate hikes probably still ahead, Fed´s Mester says
A top US rate-setter reiterated her upbeat stance on the economy at the end of the week, pointing to fresh data on consumption and prices published earlier that same day as vindicating her view.
US personal income and spending up more than expected
Data released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed US personal spending rose 0. 5% in January, beating economists’ expectations for a 0. 3% increase.
FTSE 250 movers: Oil prices help producers and service providers surge
The FTSE 250 was in the black by mid-afternoon on Friday, up 173. 01 points (1. 05%) to 16,572. 08.
FX Roundup: Dollar spikes against major crosses on US GDP data
Dollar stacked up gains against major currency crosses on Friday, following positive US macroeconomic data.
Michigan consumer sentiment a touch better than expected
The University of Michigan's final consumer sentiment index for February rose to 91. 7 from a preliminary reading of 90. 7.
G4S to sell controversial children's services division
Security firm G4S has decided to sell its UK Children’s Services division as part of an ongoing review of its businesses.
S&P places StanChart´s credit ratings under review with negative implications
Standard&Poor´s placed its outlook on Standard Chartered´s long-term credit rating under review for a possible one-notch downgrade on Friday, due to the heightened uncertainty around the lender´s competitive position, its ability to manage risks and recover its profitability over the next two to three years.
FTSE 100 movers: Burberry leads index on rating upgrade
The FTSE 100 was set to finish the week on a positive note, with the blue chip index up 73. 36 points (1. 22%) to 6,086. 17.
UK challenger banks could compete for larger mortgage market share, Moody's says
UK challenger banks seem poised to compete with established players for larger a share of the country’s mortgage market, according to Moody’s.
Dow Chemical agrees to pay $835m to settle price-fixing case
Dow Chemical has agreed to pay $835m (£599m) to settle a lawsuit by customers who argued the company had fixed polyurethane prices between 1999 and 2003, although the group denied having done this.
Goldman Sachs lowers target on StanChart, reiterates buy
Analysts at Goldman Sachs lowered their target price on shares of StanChart due to their concerns that revenue growth would be slower-than-expected.