Market Pulse
Goals to raise £16.5m to upgrade football centres
Five-a-side social football operator Goals Soccer Centres announced on Friday that it was raising £16. 5m in a bid to refresh its locations, after years of underinvestment.
Riverstone to buy remaining stake in Talen Energy
Shares in Talen Energy surged in pre-market trade after the energy and power generation company said private equity firm Riverstone Holdings will buy the remaining stake it does not already own for $1. 8bn.
Total preparing to sell Atotech
French oil and gas giant Total began preparing to sell it specialty chemicals division Atotech this week, it was reported on Friday, with reports that the subsidiary could be worth around €3bn.
Europe midday: Stocks gain ground ahead of payrolls report
European stocks edged higher on Friday as investors looked to the release of the latest non-farm payrolls report for any clues on the timing of the next Federal Reserve rate hike.
London midday: Stocks gain ahead of US non-farm payrolls
UK equities gained on Friday ahead of the all-important US non-farm payrolls report as oil prices rose.
US pre-open: Stocks seen flat ahead of payrolls report
US futures pointed to a broadly flat open on Wall Street as investors awaited the release of the all-important non-farm payrolls report for further clues on the timing of the next rate hike.
Asia report: Markets finish Friday mostly higher
Most Asian markets finished Friday higher, as investors held their breath for fresh jobs figures out of the US as an indicator on the Federal Reserve’s likely course of action.
PZ Cussons slumps on Canaccord downgrade
PZ Cussons was under the cosh on Friday after Canaccord Genuity cut the stock to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’, keeping the price target at 345p as it recommended taking profits ahead of the full-year update.
Eurozone retail sales miss expectations
Retail sales in the 19 countries that share the euro were stable in April from March compared with expectations of a 0. 3% increase, according to the latest figures from Eurostat.
UK services growth picks up in May, but still subdued
UK services growth picked up in May but remained subdued, according to figures released on Friday.
Shire completes combination with Baxalta
Irish pharmaceuticals company Shire said on Friday that it has completed its $32bn takeover of US-based Baxalta.
Markit's Eurozone composite PMI touch better than expected
Markit’s final Eurozone composite output index came in at 53. 1 in May, up from the flash estimate of 52. 9 and April’s reading of 53. 0.
London open: Stocks rise as Brent reaches $50 per barrel
London stocks rose on Friday as oil prices jumped and traders looked ahead to the US non-farm payrolls report.
Bundesbank cuts GDP and CPI forecasts
The Bundesbank downgraded its forecasts for German inflation and growth on Friday, but said the economy’s underlying cyclical trend is fairly robust, driven by buoyant domestic demand.
Europe open: Stocks edge higher ahead of payrolls
European stocks edged higher on Friday, taking their cue from positive sessions in the US and Asia as investors looked to the release of the latest non-farm payrolls report.
Vectura reports success on first phase VR942 study
Airways-related diseases treatment company Vectura Group announced on Friday that it has successfully completed its Phase I clinical study evaluating its inhaled biologic immunomodulatory product VR942.
Investec downgrades HSBC, recommends taking profits in June
Investec downgraded HSBC to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’, pointing to just under 1% residual upside to its unchanged 450p price target.
AstraZeneca completes Zurampic deal with Ironwood
Drugmaker AstraZeneca continued its charge of licensing its Zurampic (lesinurad) drug on Friday, with the company announcing it has completed its licensing agreement with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals for the exclusive United States rights to the drug.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up on positive US and Asia leads; payrolls eyed
London stocks were seen opening higher on Friday, taking their cue from positive sessions in the US and Asia as investors looked to the release of the all-important non-farm payrolls.
ICAP signs $65m deal with China interbank market platform
Markets operator and provider of post-trade risk mitigation and information services ICAP announced on Friday that China Foreign Exchange Trade System has chosen it to deliver the underlying technology for fixed income and foreign exchange electronic execution services in mainland China.