Market Report
Positive momentum continues at Frontier Smart Tech
Digital radio and smart audio device pioneer Frontier Smart Technologies Group updated the market on its trading on Friday, saying it had continued to build on the momentum it achieved in the second half of 2016, with first half revenues “significantly ahead” of last year.
Results round-up
Pearson surged on Friday as the education publisher posted a 6% increase in first-quarter underlying sales, reiterated its guidance for the full year and announced further cost-cutting measures and a strategic review of its K12 courseware publishing business.
Ascent Resources permit held back after Slovenian court appeal
After the Slovenian courts held back the permit required to build a gas treatment facility in the Petisovci gas field, Ascent Resources said it was confident of overturning the decision later this year.
SDX Energy reaches milestone with SD-1X drilling
North Africa-focussed oil and gas company SDX Energy announced on Friday that drilling on the SD-1X well at its South Disouq concession in the Nile Delta area of Egypt had now reached its second target depth.
International Public Partnerships ups stake in UK schools projects
International Public Partnerships has snapped up a larger stake in a UK school refurbishment project from Carillion for £1. 5m, which it said would immediately contribute to its portfolio returns.
Physiomics presenting at BioTrinity
Physiomics announced on Friday that it would attend BioTrinity 2017, which the company described as “one of Europe's leading” biopartnering and investment conferences, to be held on 8-10 May at the Novotel London West.
London midday: Stocks recoup small losses as Pearson surges; payrolls eyed
London stocks had flattened out by midday, recovering from earlier small losses as oil steadied and well-received corporate news from the likes of Pearson and IAG lent a hand, with the focus set to shift to the US non-farm payrolls report later in the session.
PME African Infrastructure reports marginal rise in NAV
Sub-Saharan Africa infrastructure investment company PME African Infrastructure Opportunities posted its audited results for the year to 31 December on Friday, with its net asset value rising marginally to $9. 5m from $9. 1m year-on-year.
Europe midday: Markets in holding pattern ahead of US jobs report
Markets are in a holding pattern ahead of the key US monthly jobs report due out at 1330 BST.
JKX pays $15m to governments in 2016
JKX Oil and Gas posted its consolidated report on payments to governments for the year to 31 December on Friday, for activities related to exploration, development and extraction of oil and gas resources.
Asia report: Markets mostly lower as commodities fall
Markets in Asia were mostly lower on Friday, with an early fall in commodities prices putting the kibosh on sentiment, as traders kept their wallets shut ahead of the US nonfarm payrolls report.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of payrolls, Fedspeak
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street as investors awaited the release of the non-farm payrolls report and a raft of speeches by Federal Reserve officials.
Friday broker round-up
Barclays: Goldman Sachs downgrades to Sell with a target price of 180p.
Barclays downgraded to 'sell' by Goldman on capital concerns
Goldman Sachs has downgraded Barclays to 'sell' from 'neutral' and lowered the bank’s target price by 28% to 180p, citing concerns about a potential narrowing of its capital gap.
Telit Communications raises £39m to fund acquisitions
Internet of Things company Telit Communications has successfully placed just under 11. 6m shares at 340p each, raising around £39m to fund several identified acquisition opportunities, mainly in the IoT Services sector, which it will look to execute in the near to medium term.
Republicans toast healthcare victory as Trump says Obamacare is 'dead'
The US House of Representatives narrowly voted through a range of healthcare reforms in Washington on Thursday, with President Donald Trump claiming that the affordable care act of predecessor Barack Obama was "essentially dead".
Pizza-hungry Polish keep DP Poland hot
Investors in the master franchise for Domino’s Pizza in Poland, DP Poland, were gathering on Friday morning for the company’s annual general meeting, with management preparing to tell them trading in the year to date remained in line with expectations.
Highland Gold updates resource estimates for Mnogovershinnoye
Highland Gold Mining announced the results of updated JORC-compliant mineral resource and ore reserve estimates for its Mnogovershinnoye mine on Friday, as conducted by Micon International.
Diversified Gas & Oil to buy assets from Titan Energy
AIM-listed Diversified Gas & Oil has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement to buy certain gas and oil assets of Titan Energy in the Appalachian Basin, principally the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, southern New York and northeast Tennessee, for a cash consideration of $84. 2m.
Brent crude futures hit key technical support
Crude oil futures are sliding lower and testing technical support as markets wait anxiously for signs that the world's largest oil producers will extend their 30 November pact to slash production and keep prices near their recent levels.