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U.S. non-farm payroll growth slows to just 175,000 in April
Hiring in the U.S. slowed by noticeably more than expected in April, alongside lower than expected wage growth.
London close: Stocks rise as US payrolls come in weaker
London markets closed positively on Friday, as investors digested slower-than-expected payrolls growth in the US, while Anglo American jumped amid anticipation of a potential bidding war for the mining giant.
Broker tips: Shell, Standard Chartered, Team 17, AJ Bell
RBC Capital Markets has raised its forecasts for Shell and kept an 'outperform' rating, saying the business was "firing on most cylinders" in the quarter.
Shell's Q1 performance "encouraging", says RBC
RBC Capital Markets has raised its forecasts for Shell and kept an 'outperform' rating, saying the business was "firing on most cylinders" in the quarter.
London midday: Stocks extend gains as Anglo rallies; payrolls eyed
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Friday, with Anglo American leading the advance amid the prospect of a potential bidding war, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Week ahead: Bank of England, euro area services PMIs in focus
Investors' focus over the coming week would shift back to the UK as rate-setters met to decide on monetary policy.
FTSE 100 movers: Anglo rallies on Reuters report; IHG slumps
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 8,209.34 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US open: Stocks sharply higher following NFP data
Wall Street stocks were firmly in the green early on Friday as market participants digested some key jobs data.
Trainline shares surge on profits, Labour plan to ditch app
Shares in online rail ticket platform Trainline surged on Friday as it reported better-than-expected revenue along with a sharp jump in annual sales and profits, driven by competition for passengers in Spain and Italy.
Accrol agrees to final offer of £130.8m from Navigator Paper
Tissue maker Accrol Group said on Friday that it has agreed to be taken over by Navigator Paper after it made an improved and final offer that values the company at £130.8m.
Europe close: Stocks end mixed after 'Goldilocks' US jobs data
European shares ended the Friday session on a mixed note despite an April jobs report out of the US that saw traders price back in a second interest rate cut for 2024.
Director dealings: Cohort CEO makes share sale
Cohort revealed on Friday that chief executive Andrew Thomis had disposed of 3,792 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed management consultant.
Diageo replaces CFO after three years
Drinks group Diageo has announced that it is replacing its chief financial officer with the head of finance from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, as it says goodbye to Lavanya Chandrashekar after three years on the board.
US pre-open: Futures in the green ahead of April NFP report
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Friday ahead of key jobs data.
Europe midday: Share extend gains; Aurubis slumps on UBS downgrade
European shares extended gains on Friday as corporate news just kept coming with investors cheering better-than-expected results from tech stalwart Apple and a report that Glencore was considering a rival bid for Anglo-American.
Trainline says Labour has no plans to revive UK ticket app, website
Britain's opposition Labour Party has no plans to revive government plans to introduce a national rail ticket website and app if it wins the next General Election, online platform Trainline said on Friday.
Glencore said to be studying approach for Anglo American
Glencore is reportedly studying an approach for Anglo American, a development that could spark a bidding war.
TGI Fridays owner Hostmore narrows FY losses
TGI Fridays owner Hostmore said on Friday that it had reduced its annual losses in a "transitional" year.
London open: Stocks rise ahead of non-farm payrolls
London stocks rose in early trade on Friday following solid sessions in Asia and on Wall Street, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week up 73.66 points, or 0.9%, closing at 8,213.49 on Friday.
Tekmar sells Subsea Innovation in £1.9m deal
Tekmar Group announced the sale of Subsea Innovation (SIL) to Unique Group on Friday, through its subsidiary Unique System UK, for a total cash consideration of £1.9m.
US services activity softens in April, ISM says
Services activity in the States shrank unexpectedly at the start of spring, marking the first contraction since December 2022.
Asda refinances £3.2bn of debt
Asda said on Friday that it has successfully refinanced more than £3.2bn of its debt, pushing out the majority of its maturities into the next decade.
Duke Capital invests another £4m in BPVA Ireland
Duke Capital announced a follow-on investment of £4m into its existing capital partner, BPVA Ireland, on Friday.