Market Pulse
US non-farm payrolls jump by 304,000 in January
US non-farm payrolls increased by 304,000 at the start of 2019, underlining the strength of the country's jobs market, economists said.
Dallas Fed boss Kaplan tells colleagues to 'get out of the way'
In unusually tough-worded remarks, the head of the Federal Reserve bank of Dallas reportedly said the country's monetary authority should steer clear of further interest rate hikes until mid-year, at the earliest.
Energy and soft commodities gain, metals lower
Stronger-than-expected economic data out of the States for the month of January, together with a 'bullish' set of weekly oil rig count figures from Baker Hughes served to push most energy futures higher at the end of the week.
Europe close: Shares start February on front foot, Italian issues left out
Stocks on the Continent reversed early losses, with the main stockmarket gauges for the most part finishing the first day of the month on the front foot, on the back of stronger-than-expected readings on the health of the US jobs market and manufacturing sector.
St.Louis Fed's Bullard says next move in US rates could be up or down
The US economy was wedged in a relatively slow growt dynamic with little inflation, but in any case the central bank's next move on interest rates may be either up or down, one of its highest-ranking officials said.
Broker tips: Plus500, TalkTalk
Plus500 got a boost on Friday as Peel Hunt upped its stance on the stock to ‘add’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 1,650p from 1,500p as it took a look at trading platforms.
Director dealings: Smiths chairman ups stake
Smiths Group chairman George Buckley purchased 858 ordinary shares in the London-based engineering business on Friday.
Cluff Natural Resources soars on extended P2252 licence exclusivity period
Cluff Natural Resources shot up on Friday after confirming that it has extended the exclusivity period for a farm-out agreement on licence P2252 by one week.
US open: Stocks open higher after Trump announces meeting with China's Xi
US stocks carved out some gains at the opening bell on Friday as investors thumbed through the latest non-farm payrolls report.
Federal government shutdown crisis hits US consumer confidence in January
Consumer confidence in the States was at its lowest ebb since President Donnald Trump took office, as Americans fretted over the potential impact of the federal government shutdown.
FTSE 100 movers: Evraz gains ground but Intertek dented by downgrade
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 6% to 7,008. 58 in afternoon trade on Friday as investors digested the latest non-farm payrolls report.
ISM factory gauge jumps back in January, but recession still seen ahead
Perhaps the most widely-followed gauge of factory sector activity in the States surprised to the upside at the start of the year, as levels of output and new orders jumped back.
Trump to quit Cold War missile treaty with Russia
The US announced on Friday it would be withdrawing in the next six months from a missile control treaty it signed with Russia in the Cold War.
Peel Hunt ups Plus500 to 'add' from 'hold'
Plus500 got a boost on Friday as Peel Hunt upped its stance on the stock to ‘add’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 1,650p from 1,500p as it took a look at trading platforms.
AstraZeneca oral diabetes treatment gets European marketing approval
AstraZeneca said on Friday that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended marketing authorisation for its Forxiga treatment for use as an oral adjunct treatment to insulin in adults with type-1 diabetes.
ScS ends talks over Sofa.com, clears way for Mike Ashley
Just days after confirming that it was in talks about the possible acquisition of Sofa. com, ScS said on Friday that the discussions had ended, clearing the way for Mike Ashley.
Real Good Food sells off patisserie arm
Real Good Food sold its RGF Patisserie subsidiary to Chantilly Patisserie as part of £200,000 deal on Friday.
TalkTalk cuts profit target despite accelerating customer growth
TalkTalk reported further good growth of customer numbers in the third quarter but trimmed its full-year profit guidance.
M&C Saatchi expects progress in 2019, sells Walker stake
Ad agency M&C Saatchi told investors on Friday that it expects its full-year results to be in line with board expectations.
Lok'nStore to dispose of document storage business
Self-storage company Lok'nStore has announced the disposal of its document storage business, Saracen, to Iron Mountain UK for £7. 64m in cash.