Full List Of Stories
FTSE 250 movers: Oxford Instruments surges; Cineworld recovers
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 9% at 21,469. 94 in afternoon trade on Friday.
FTSE 100 movers: Smiths Group rallies on results; utilities fall
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 8% at 6,728. 90 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Jefferies upgrades BAT, downgrades Imperial Tobacco
Jefferies downgraded Imperial Tobacco on Friday as it pointed to risks from its focus on legacy assets, and upgraded British American Tobacco and Altria.
Renishaw upgrades full-year profit, revenue guidance
FTSE 250 engineering company Renishaw upgraded its full-year guidance on Friday as it pointed to "good momentum" in the business.
London midday: Stocks in the black after retail sales; Smiths Group rallies
London stocks were in the black by midday on Friday following encouraging UK retail sales data, with Smiths Group pacing the advance after well-received interim results.
Berenberg cuts Ocado to ‘hold’, says high expectations are built in
Berenberg downgraded Ocado shares to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ on Friday and cut the price target to 2,390p from 2,925p as it said it’s a great company but expectations are high.
RBC Capital upgrades Next to 'outperform'
RBC Capital Markets upgraded Next shares to ‘outperform’ from ‘sector perform’ on Friday, hiking the price target to 8,800p from 8,100p as it said the retailer should continue to benefit from its strong online and credit offer.
London open: Stocks rally after encouraging retail sales
London stocks rose in early trade on Friday following the release of encouraging UK retail sales data.
Retail sales recover partly in February after lockdown slump
UK retail sales recovered partly in February, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics, following a big fall at the start of the third national lockdown in January.
London pre-open: Stocks to rise as investors mull retail sales
London stocks were set to gain at the open on Friday following losses in the previous session, as investors digest the latest UK retail sales data.
Friday newspaper round-up: Amazon, Liberty Steel, Arrival
The government has announced plans for a £1. 5bn funding pot to help companies struggling with business rates following a flood of requests for support during the coronavirus pandemic. In an expansion of support across the economy, the Treasury said the new fund was designed to help firms outside the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors with the taxes they pay based on the value of the premises they occupy. - Guardian.