Market Pulse
Body Shop administrators plotting CVA - report
Administrators to The Body Shop are reportedly drawing up plans to launch a further restructuring process in a bid to salvage a future for the well-known high street brand.
UK construction sector returns to growth in March
The UK construction sector returned to growth in March, according to a survey released on Friday.
Eurozone construction PMI drops to 42.4 in March
Hamburg Commercial Bank's Eurozone construction purchasing managers index dropped to 42. 4 in March, down from a reading of 42. 9 in February.
Ceva offer for Wincanton lapses as board goes for GXO bid
Wincanton confirmed on Friday morning that Ceva Bidco's increased and final bid to acquire Wincanton had lapsed.
German factory orders rise 0.2% in February
German factory orders rose by 0. 2% month-on-month in February, according to the Federal Statistical Office, missing estimates for a 0. 8% jump but recovering from January's revised 11. 4% tumble - the steepest fall since April 2020.
London open: Stocks slump on hawkish Fed comments; payrolls eyed
London stocks fell sharply in early trade on Friday, taking their cue from heavy losses on Wall Street, following hawkish comments from Federal Reserve officials.
AstraZeneca announces positive lung cancer treatment trial results
AstraZeneca announced positive high-level results from a phase three trial demonstrating significant advancements in the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) on Friday.
OSB Group appoints Victoria Hyde as CFO
OSB Group said on Friday that it has appointed Victoria Hyde as its new chief financial officer and executive director with effect from 10 May.
House prices fall for first time in six months - Halifax
UK house prices fell for the first time in six months in March as the drop in mortgage rates stalled, according to figures released by Halifax on Friday.
London pre-open: FTSE seen flat ahead of payrolls
London stocks were set for a muted open on Friday as investors eyed the all-important non-farm payrolls release, and mulled data showing that UK house prices fell for the first time in six months in March.
Friday newspaper round-up: Energy bills, working from home, music industry
The number of households seeking help to deal with court action over their unpaid energy bills has doubled in the last year, according to Citizens Advice. The charity said suppliers were increasingly opting to take their customers to court to recover their energy debts, which could ruin household finances for years. It said the use of legal action to pursue unpaid bills appeared to have increased since the industry regulator, Ofgem, introduced strict restrictions on the forced installation of prepayment meters.