Market Report
FX round-up: Sterling slips as traders consider US rate hike in June
Sterling had its back to the wall on most key crosses Friday with traders considering the likelihood of a US rate hike in June after this afternoon's bundle of inflation and retail data in that country.
Investec's Ian Gordon downgrades StanChart to 'sell'
Analysts at Investec took their recommendation on shares of StanChart down from 'hold' to 'sell', telling clients the outlook for earnings per share and return on capital are now less convincing.
Europe close: Shares rise for third week led by defensives
European stocks closed higher for a third successive week with pharma among the top performers as Germany's finance minister appeared to provide a degree of support to calls for fiscal transfers in the euro area.
Director dealings: Everyman NXD increases backing
Shares in Everyman Media rose on Friday after it emerged director Michael Rosehill's Blue Coast Private Equity has increased its stake in the cinema operator.
London close: FTSE 100 sets fresh record high
London stocks lumbered through a dull Friday with blue chips again benefiting from a period of sterling weakness during the session.
FTSE 100 movers: Astra and Glaxo provide shot in the arm
London's FTSE 100 index was up 0. 3% above 7,400 by mid afternoon on Friday and moving towards a potential record weekly thanks to a booster from drug developer AstraZeneca.
US open: Retailers drag on Wall Street again
Retailers were again weighing on Wall Street's main stockmarket gauges on Friday, amid a mixed bag of first-tier economic data.
Staff laid off, shares suspended at Tower Energy
Tower Resources announced on Friday that it had applied for suspension of trading in the company's ordinary shares on AIM, with effect from 0730 BST, pending clarification of its financial circumstances.
T-Mobile said to be in talks over Sprint merger
US telecoms firm Sprint Corp has entered preliminary talks with T-Mobile over a possible merger between the two companies, according to a report from Bloomberg.
Petrofac under investigation by Serious Fraud Office, CEO questioned
The Serious Fraud Office has launched a criminal investigation into Petrofac, its subsidiaries and its employees, which the agency confirmed was over suspicions of bribery, corruption and money laundering.
Commodities: Crude slips as market looks ahead to Opec, demand-side factors
Crude oil surrendered some of its recent gains inspired by greater than expected slides in US stores last week, with traders already looking much further ahead to Opec's next meeting.
Tyman makes 'solid' start to year
International supplier of engineered components to the door and window industry, Tyman, updated the market on its trading for the period from 1 January to date on Friday, as its investors gathered in London for the company’s annual general meeting.
FTSE 250 movers: Petrofac tanks on SFO probe; Ibstock boosted by broker note
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 3% in afternoon trade to 19,731. 38 on what has turned out to be a quiet end to the week.
Results round-up
Peppa Pig owner Entertainment One said it expects to report around £47m of one-off costs for the year to the end of March 2017 after it renegotiated one of its larger film distribution arrangements as part of its wider reshaping of the film division.
RBC trims BT Group target price
Analysts at RBC sounded a fairly upbeat note on BT Group despite the multiple calls on its cash which the company is expected to face over the next couple of years.
US consumer sentiment improves in May
Consumer sentiment in the US improved in May, according to preliminary figures from the University of Michigan.
President Energy claims against providers ongoing
President Energy updated the market on Friday, on its disputes with “certain service providers” in relation to the halted drilling of well DP1002 S/T in late 2016.
Clarksons hails encouraging start, says trading in line
Shipping services provider Clarksons said on Friday that it has had an encouraging start to the year and is trading in line with its expectations.
Bonds: Gilts edge higher as MPC sounds more positive note on economy
These were the movements among some of the most widely-followed 10-year sovereign bond yields: US: 2. 39% (-2bp)UK: 1. 16% (-1bp)Germany: 0. 43% (+1bp)France: 0. 88% (+3bp)Spain: 1. 65% (+4bp)Italy: 2. 29% (+4bp)Portugal: 3. 39% (-1bp)Greece: 5. 63% (-1bp)Japan: 0. 05% (+1bp).
Lloyds Banking hit by structured investments mis-selling scandal
Lloyds Banking Group shares were hit on Friday by reports that it may have to pay £80m to compensate customers in a fresh mis-selling scandal.