Market Pulse
London close: Stocks finish lower as US payrolls top forecasts
London markets closed lower on Friday amid a backdrop of heightened investor caution, following robust US job data for March, hawkish remarks from Federal Reserve officials, and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
US open: Stocks trade higher following better-than-expected NFP report
Wall Street futures were in the green early on Friday as market participants digested a non-farm payrolls report that came in stronger-than-expected.
Director dealings: Petrofac chairman ups stake
Petrofac revealed on Friday that chairman René Médori had acquired 75,820 ordinary shares in the London-listed energy services company.
FTSE 100 movers: Admiral in the black; Ocado slumps
London’s FTSE 100 was down 1. 1% at 7,891. 49 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Thames Water holding company defaults on debts
Thames Water holding company Kemble Water Finance has defaulted on its debts after failing to make good on an interest payment due earlier this week.
NAHL Group exploring sale of critical care business
NAHL Group confirmed on Friday that it is currently investigating the potential sale of its critical care business, Bush & Co.
Taylor Maritime set to become sole owner of Grindrod Shipping
Taylor Maritime Investments announced a proposal by its subsidiary, Grindrod Shipping Holdings, to conduct selective capital reduction on Friday.
Pinewood Technologies to return £358m to shareholders
Pinewood Technologies announced a significant return of value to shareholders on Friday, following the disposal of its UK motor and leasing business to Lithia, as it announced on 1 February.
Jonnson & Johnson to buy Shockwave Medical for $13.1bn
Johnson & Johnson said on Friday that it has agreed to buy Shockwave Medical, which develops products for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, for $13. 1bn.
Tekcapital upbeat on progress at investee company Guident
Tekcapital updated the market on its investee company Guident on Friday, as the latter incorporated its remote monitoring and control (RMCC) technology into the MiCa autonomous shuttle being developed by Auve Tech.
Hutchmed China to make several presentations at cancer research meeting
Hutchmed China announced the upcoming presentation of new and updated data from various studies featuring compounds it had discovered on Friday, at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting from 5 to 10 April in San Diego, California.
London midday: FTSE stays down ahead of payrolls
London stocks were still firmly in the red by midday on Friday as sentiment was hit by hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials and escalating tensions in the Middle East.
US pre-open: Futures cautiously higher ahead of NFP report
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Friday as market participants awaited the release of this month's all-important non-farm payrolls report.
Agronomics invests another $10m in Liberation Labs
Cellular agriculture investor Agronomics announced a significant investment of $10m in its portfolio company Liberation Labs on Friday, as part of a broader $12. 5m financing round, with existing investor Siddhi Capital also participating.
Steppe Cement reports lower production, revenue in first quarter
Steppe Cement said in an update on Friday that in the first quarter of 2024, it sold 175,383 tonnes of cement, generating KZT 3. 78bn (£6. 69m) in revenue.
Red Rock reports progress in Burkina Faso, DRC
Natural resources developer Red Rock Resources updated the market on two key areas on Friday, being the ongoing arbitration in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) related to the VUP copper-cobalt joint venture, and developments regarding its gold assets in Burkina Faso.
Beeks Financial Cloud inks service partnership with STT
Beeks Financial Cloud announced a strategic collaboration with Securities & Trading Technology (STT) on Friday, which it described as a reputable entity specialising in trading, clearing, and surveillance technology.
Chamberlin chairman, finance director announce resignations
Specialist castings and engineering group Chamberlin announced significant changes to its board on Friday, with non-executive chairman Keith Butler-Wheelhouse retiring from the board with immediate effect after 12 years of service.
Berenberg slightly raises target price on The Gym Group
Analysts at Berenberg slightly raised their target price on The Gym Group from 115. 0p to 121. 0p on Friday, stating the firm's new growth plan could very well deliver gains.
Experian to buy Illion for up to AUD820m
Credit data firm Experian has agreed to buy Illion, one of the leading consumer and commercial credit bureaus in Australia and New Zealand, for up to AUD820m (£427. 2m).