Market Pulse
US non-farm payrolls rise more than forecast in March
The US added more jobs than forecast in March but the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose, the Labor Department said on Friday.
Europe midday: Stocks deeper into the red ahead of US jobs report
European stocks extended their losses even further by midday on Friday as retreating commodities prices, gloomy Japanese data and pre-jobs reports jitters outweighed largely encouraging European manufacturing data.
US pre-open: Stock futures fall ahead of non-farm payrolls
US stock futures fell moderately on Friday as investors awaited the non-farm payrolls report.
London midday: Stocks fall ahead of US non-farm payrolls
London stocks fell on Friday as data showed UK manufacturing activity remained in the doldrums and as investors awaited the US non-farm payrolls report.
Berenberg cuts Inchcape on Volkswagen and Aussie dollar worries
Berenberg has downgraded Inchcape to 'hold' from 'buy' on new-found concerns for the car dealer's businesses in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia.
UK house prices jump 5.7% in March, Nationwide data shows
UK house prices rose 5. 7% in March to an average of £200,251 compared to the same month last year, data revealed on Friday.
Mike Linn to leave Centrica’s board
Centrica’s non-executive director Mike Linn will not be standing for re-election at the company’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
Asia report: Weak Japan data drags markets down
Asian markets traded mostly lower on Friday, with a weak reading on Japan’s economy influencing investors more than better-than-expected China manufacturing data.
Just Eat gets green light for Spanish acquisition
Online takeaway food delivery group Just Eat has received clearance from Spanish regulators to complete its acquisition of La Nevera Roja from Rocket Internet.
UK manufacturing activity grows less than forecast, Markit reveals
UK manufacturing activity expanded less than expected in March as output growth remained unchanged from February’s seven-month low, data revealed on Friday.
Europe open: Stocks in the red following sell-off in Asia
European stocks began Friday on the back foot, taking a lead from the morning's declines in Asia and following a slightly negative finish in the US overnight ahead of the important nonfarm payroll report.
Creston non-executive chairman steps down
Marketing communications group Creston has confirmed its non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford has stepped down from the board in 31 March.
London open: Stocks track declines in Asia
UK stocks tracked declines in Asia after Standard & Poor’s cut the outlook for China’s credit rating to negative from stable.
Co-operative Bank losses more than double
The Co-operative Bank reported much wider losses for the 2015 year on Friday, though it said the result was expected, and claimed its core operations had actually strengthened during the year.
Tata Steel's planned sale of UK business will ease operating pressure, Moody's says
Tata Steel’s planned restructuring or divestment of its UK businesses might be politically sensitive in the country, but remains credit positive for the Indian steelmaker because it will reduce some of the negative pressure on its operating performance, according to Moody’s.
BP veteran to join Premier Oil board
Premier Oil has appointed industry veteran Iain Macdonald as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1 May.
Home Retail agrees to recommend Sainsbury's offer
The board of Home Retail has agreed to recommend Sainsbury's takeover offer, with the grocer applying for a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement to process the acquisition.
Elegant Hotels appoints Richard Jones as CFO
Elegant Hotels, the AIM-listed owner and operator of hotels in Barbados, has appointed Richard Jones as Chief Financial Officer and executive director of the group with immediate effect.
Euromoney sells energy publishing businesses
Euromoney Institutional Investor announced its intention to sell its energy publishing businesses on Friday, for a total cash consideration of $18m.
London pre-open: Shares set to extend losses on Friday
The FTSE 100 is set to extend losses on Friday morning ahead of a day full of data across Europe and the closely-watched non-farm payroll report in the US.