Market Report
Europe close: Shares end session moderately higher despite gains for currency
Stocks ended the session with moderately strong gains despite another move higher for the single currency aided by dovish Fedspeak.
FX round-up: Perky pound takes cheeky Friday stroll higher on dollar
Britain's perky pound went for a cheeky Friday stroll over the psychologically important $1. 30 marker thanks to the lingering political storm surround US President Donald Trump.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners lead march up, Smiths slips on CFO exit
London's blue chip benchmark continued its gradual recovery from the Trump-inspired panic on Wednesday, with the FTSE 100 hovering just below its all-time high.
Results round-up
Jefferies downgraded credit checking company Experian to 'hold' from 'buy' and cut the price target to 1,550p from 1,670p following the company's preliminary full-year results on Thursday.
Barclays downgrades Vodafone to 'equal weight' on competition concerns
Vodafone Group saw its stock recommendation lowered to 'equal weight' from 'overweight' at Barclays, with the bank raising concerns about competition despite an upbeat earnings report earlier this week.
London close: FTSE ties on positive resources-led Friday
Stocks in London tied on a positive Friday performance thanks to gains in resources behemoths and after better-than-expected UK manufacturing data, continuing its rebound after the mid-week Donald Trump-inspired sell-off.
US open: Stocks bounce back despite mixed results
Shares on Wall Street are finding a decent bid at the end of the week despite a spate of mixed company results.
Barclays downgrades Thomas Cook 'but may be wrong'
Thomas Cook shares took a hit on Friday after they were downgraded by Barclays after a good rally since last summer.
Commodities: Crude bubbles higher on hopes Opec will extend output curbs next week
Crude-oil futures bubbled their way to roughly month highs on hopes that Opec will extend its output curbs when it meets next week in Vienna.
FTSE 250 movers: Berendsen rises again but Hays slumps
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 6% to 19,809. 50 in afternoon trade.
PipeHawk rejected for funding again, intends to reapply
PipeHawk updated the market on its application for Phase 2 H2020 funding to assist with the marketing and distribution of its eSafe product on Friday, after its board advised it was re-submitting at the time of its interim results on 20 March.
Gfinity confirms details of inaugural Elite Series
Esports promoter Gfinity announced the official dates and details of the inaugural Gfinity Elite Series, on Friday, with the event taking place in the summer in London.
Volga Gas investors gather for AGM
Russia-focussed oil and gas exploration and production group Volga Gas updated the market on its activities and operations on Friday, as investors gathered for the company’s annual general meeting.
Horizonte sustainability team making progress at Araguaia
Brazil-focussed nickel development company Horizonte Minerals updated the market on “significant advancements” its sustainability team had made towards the Installation Licence submission for its 100% owned Araguaia Nickel Project, which was being developed as the next major nickel project in Brazil.
Union Jack Oil pleased with Mining Waste Permit variation
UK-focussed onshore oil and gas exploration and production company Union Jack Oil noted an update by Egdon Resources on Friday, regarding the issue by the UK Environment Agency of the variation to the Mining Waste Permit, in respect of the proposed Wressle conventional development, located within PEDL180 and PEDL182, and its associated operations.
Santander plotting bid for Banco Popular, report says
Santander is preparing an offer for troubled Spanish lender Banco Popular.
CBI industrial survey finds strong output growth
UK manufacturing output in the three months to May was much stronger than expected, according to a Confederation of British Industry survey published on Friday.
Europe midday: Gains for euro dampens demand for stocks
Stocks are holding onto slight gains come midday despite another move higher for the single currency.
London midday: Stocks maintain gains as pound re-takes $1.30
London stocks were holding onto gains by midday, rebounding from two days of losses as investors put worries about US President Donald Trump to one side and digested some solid manufacturing data.
Asia report: Shares finish turbulent week on mixed note
Asian shares finished the week on a mixed note as earlier losses were reversed on the back of higher oil prices and a rebound in US stocks after better than expected jobless figures.