Market Pulse
US February non-farm payrolls report - Analysts react
The drop in hourly earnings in today’s report is misleading, continuing a pattern of undershooting in months when the 15th – the payday for people paid semi-monthly - falls after the employment survey week. “Same thing in March, but then there'll be a huge rebound, putting wage growth y/y at new highs […] We don't expect payrolls to keep rising at anything like this pace, but the underlying momentum here is strong. […] That means you, Janet. The Fed should hike on the 16th, but in all probability, they won’t.
Sector Movers: Resource stocks ride metals uptick
Resources stocks ticked higher on Friday, ensuring headline London indices ended the week in positive territory.
Market overview: Footsie pulls back to 200-day moving average
1630:Close Footsie edged closer to its 200-day moving average at the end of the week, riding higher on the coattails of basic resource stocks as they extender their recent rally. The DJ Stoxx 600 index for the sector finished the day with gains of over 6%, alongside hefty gains for copper and crude oil futures. Homebuilders took it on the chin as yields on 10-year Gilts backed up in the wake of the latest US jobs number. Euro/dollar and cable on the other hand continued to retrace recent losses ahead of next week’s ECB policy meeting.
Commodities: Oil futures end European session on higher ground
Oil futures rounded off the week on positive turf, with Brent and WTI futures posting gains for much of the European session on Friday.
US non-farm payrolls rise more than expected in February, says Labor Department
US employers added more jobs than expected in February but wages declined compared to a month earlier, the Labor Department revealed on Friday.
FX Roundup: Global crosses mixed but dollar sees marginal dip
Global crosses ended the European trading week on mixed turf, but the dollar slipped marginally against select currencies towards the end of market proceedings on Friday.
Europe close: Basic resource stocks surge
European stock benchmarks continued to advance, boosted by a sharp jump in basic resource stocks as oil and copper futures extended their recent rally.
Metro Bank completes £400m fundraising ahead of flotation
Metro Bank has completed a £400m equity capital fundraise ahead of an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Friday newspaper share tips: Cobham, Carillion
An earnings miss in volatile market conditions is a sure recipe to send your stock price tanking.
London close: FTSE rises after rally in miners, mixed US jobs report
UK equities ended the week on a high as mining stocks rallied and the US non-farm payrolls report came in better than anticipated.
City of London Group FD to step down
City of London Group finance director Howard Goodbourn has decided to step down, the AIM-listed company confirmed on Friday.
Directors deals: Pearson chairman picks up 50,000 ADRs
Pearson’s newly-appointed chairman stepped in at the end of the week to scoop up a large chunk of shares.
Unilever exec joins Genus board
Unilever financial controller Lysanne Gray has joined the board of animal genetics company Genus.
Sweett Group CFO to step down
Sweett Group has confirmed its chief financial officer Patrick Sinclair will be stepping down.
LGO Energy agrees debt repayment deal with BNP Paribas
AIM-listed LGO Energy has reached an agreement with BNP Paribas that will see its debt repayment reduced.
US open: Stocks decline as investors digest non-farm payrolls
US stocks declined on Thursday as data showed employers added more jobs than forecast in February but wages unexpectedly declined on the month.
Actual Experience inks five-year framework agreement with Vodafone
AIM-listed analytics group Actual Experience has signed a five-year framework agreement with Vodafone which will see its digital experience quality analysis integrated into the company’s long-term quality improvement processes and key performance indicators.
US trade balance worsens modestly in February
America’s trade deficit with the rest of the world increased modestly at the start of the year, pointing to a continued drag on growth from slowing economies overseas in the coming quarters.
Brazil's Lula detained by police for questioning, stocks jump
Brazil’s previous president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was detained on Wednesday as part of a police probe into a widening corruption scandal with state-owned oil major Petrobras at its centre.