Market Report
Commodities: Gold futures slip as US dollar jumps, Brent higher after Iranian threats
Metals futures took a hit at the end of the week on the heels of a better than expected report on the state of the US jobs market, but energy futures gained after a member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards called on his government to seize a British oil tanker in retaliation for the recent detention of an Iranian vessel when it was crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.
US non-farm payrolls rise by 224,000 in June, calling Fed cuts in question
Hiring in the US picked up by a greater than expected 224,000 last month, leading some economists to trim their forecasts for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve at its next policy meeting on 30-31 July, whilst others dug in their heels against widespread predictions for imminent easing, anticipating instead that a move would come in September.
Europe close: Stocks slip after German factory orders miss, US hiring jumps
Stocks across the Continent headed into the weekend nursing moderate losses, hit by a much weaker than expected reading on German factory orders, and a much stronger than anticipated print on the US June jobs that saw some analysts trim their forecasts for interest rate hikes at the US central bank's next policy meeting at then end of July.
London close: Stocks finish red as US jobs data beats expectations
London stocks finished Friday’s session in the red, as investors digested better-than-expected US non-farm payrolls data, with miners and housebuilders under pressure.
Broker tips: Spectris, Wood Group, Standard Life Aberdeen
Bank of America Merrill Lynch downgraded its stance on shares of Spectris to 'underperform' from 'buy' on Friday, cutting the price target to 2,700p from 2,900p as it pointed to a loss of momentum.
Week ahead: US-China trade talks, Fed's Powell in focus
US and China trade talks will be in the spotlight over the coming week, following reports of already ongoing talks by phone and that face-to-face conversations are to be scheduled.
FTSE 250 movers: Victrex falls, Funding Circle gains
London's FTSE 250 was 0. 51% lower at 19,696. 86 in afternoon trade on Friday, with shares of Victrex leading the index lower.
Berenberg raises target price on Standard Life Aberdeen
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on FTSE 100-listed investment company Standard Life Aberdeen on Friday, but noted the higher price reflected an increase in the value of SLA's stakes in other listed companies, rather than "a material change" in the value of the group's core asset management business.
Director dealings: Bank of Cyprus chairman ups stake
Bank Of Cyprus revealed on Friday that chairman Efstratios-Georgios Arapoglou had purchased 10,500 ordinary shares in the firm.
Sector movers: Miners hit by drop in commodity prices, slump in iron ore
Miners were pummelled at the end of the week as the US dollar snapped higher on the back of an unexpectedly strong reading on the US jobs market for June, which in turn pushed commodity prices lower.
Global Ports Holding launches strategic review of business
Independent cruise port operator Global Ports Holding announced on Friday that, in light of the “emerging opportunities” it was seeing in its cruise business, it was undertaking a strategic review of the group.
FTSE 100 movers: Just Eat rallies; miners slump as iron ore prices drop
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 7% at 7,547. 62 in afternoon trade on Friday, as investors mulled a better-than-expected non-farm payrolls report.
US open: Stocks fall at the bell as jobs report calls rate cuts into question
US stocks opened lower on Friday following a stronger than expected uptick in hiring last month, calling into question the likelihood of interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve.
Kazera pleased with mineral resource estimates from NTI mine
Kazera Global announced maiden JORC 2012 compliant mineral resource estimates over the Homestead and Purple Haze deposits at the Namibia Tantalite Investment Mine on Friday.
BMW CEO Harold Krueger stepping down
German car maker BMW said on Friday that chief executive officer Harold Krueger is stepping down after more than four years in the job.
Acacia Mining upbeat on reserves update for Gokona
Acacia Mining announced a mid-year mineral reserve and resource update for its Gokona Mine at North Mara on Friday, which it said added to the long-term potential of the underground operation.
Europe midday: Stocks dip after 'dreadful' German factory orders data
Stocks across the Continent are heading into the weekend moving modestly lower, hit by a much weaker than expected reading on German factory orders, while a much stronger than anticipated print on the US June jobs report did little to lift sentiment.
IAG passenger number increases driven by growth in all regions
International Airlines Group (IAG), owner of airlines such as British Airways and Aer Lingus, on Friday reported a year-on-year increase in passengers carried, as well as expanded capacity and improved load factor.
Chinese steel mills band together against rising iron ore prices
Leading Chinese steel firms have banded together to investigate whether or not "non-market factors" were driving recent record iron ore prices as they called on the government to maintain stability across the market.