Full List Of Stories

FTSE 250 movers: Spirent rallies on acquisition; GCP Student falls
London’s FTSE 250 was down 1% at 21,090. 84 in afternoon trade on Friday.

FTSE 100 movers: BT boosted by broker note; LSE slumps
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 8% at 6,701. 63 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US economy adds more jobs than expected as restrictions ease
US non-farm payrolls rose a lot more than expected in February as Covid cases fell and some restrictions were lifted, while the unemployment rate ticked lower, according to data released by the Labor Department on Friday.

Liberum lifts B&M European Value target price after update
Liberum upped its price target on shares of B&M European Value Retail to 650p from 600p on Friday following the company’s trading update a day earlier.

London midday: FTSE turns higher as banks, energy shares rally; payrolls eyed
London stocks had reversed earlier losses to trade a touch higher by midday, helped along by strength in the banking and energy sectors, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Origin Enterprises buys Green-tech for undisclosed sum
AIM-listed Origin Enterprises said on Friday that it has bought Green-tech, a manufacturer and distributor of landscaping, forestry and grounds maintenance equipment, for an undisclosed sum.

Rathbone Brothers chairman Mark Nicholls steps down
Investment manager Rathbone Brothers said on Friday that non-executive chairman Mark Nicholls has decided to retire with immediate effect due to "unforeseen personal circumstances".
German factory orders rise more than expected in January
German factory orders rose more than expected in January, according to figures released by Destatis on Friday.

London open: Stocks fall amid inflation concerns, ahead of payrolls
London stocks fell in early trade on Friday amid worries about inflation, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.

Senior sells build-to-print manufacturing business for $74m
Senior said on Friday that it has sold its standalone, build-to-print helicopter structures operating business, Senior Aerospace Connecticut, to PCX Aerosystems for $74m (£53m).

ConvaTec says pandemic created both challenges and opportunities in 2020
ConvaTec posted a rise in full-year revenue but a dip in earnings after the pandemic created "both challenges and opportunities" for the medical products and technology company in 2020.

Unite Group extends rent discount again
Student accommodation provider Unite Group announced on Friday that it was extending its 50% rent discount by an additional three weeks as it said that its discount and tenancy extension will impact rental income less than expected.

London pre-open: Stocks seen lower ahead of payrolls report
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Friday amid worries about inflation, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.

Friday newspaper round-up: Greensill Capital, Marks & Spencer, freeports
Business leaders have criticised Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, for shutting down the Industrial Strategy Council, the government’s in-house thinktank plotting the regeneration of Britain’s hard-pressed regions. The decision to disband the council, which was led by the Bank of England’s chief economist, Andy Haldane, was called a “sad and bad” decision by Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Barratt Developments CFO Jessica White to step down
Barratt Developments said on Thursday that Jessica White will step down as chief financial officer on 30 June for personal reasons and leave the housebuilder at the end of July.

Rathbone Brothers hails strong investment performance as FUMA rise
Investment manager Rathbone Brothers hailed a strong investment performance on Thursday as it reported a jump in full-year funds under administration and profit.

Vesuvius full-year profits hit by Covid disruptions
Molten metal flow engineer Vesuvius posted a drop in full-year profit and revenue on Thursday as its performance was dented by the Covid crisis.

London open: Stocks fall amid earnings deluge as bond market selloff resumes
London stocks fell in early trade on Thursday amid a deluge of corporate news, as the selloff in bond markets resumed.

CRH lifts dividend despite profit fall
Building materials distributor CRH lifted its dividend on Thursday even as it reported a decline in full-year profit and revenue, after what it called a "challenging year", hit by disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Meggitt profits slump as pandemic takes its toll
Engineer Meggitt reported a slump in full-year profit on Thursday as it took a hit from the pandemic, and said it would not be recommending a dividend for 2020.