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Europe close: Stocks edge higher at quarter's end
European shares extended gains on the final day of 2023's first quarter as investors mulled eurozone inflation data showing a slight easing.

Broker tips: Spire Healthcare, Travis Perkins
Jefferies upgraded Spire Healthcare to 'buy' from 'hold' on Friday and lifted its price target on the stock to 250. 0p from 240. 0p, arguing that the market was underappreciating its growth opportunity.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week up 3. 06%, or 226. 29 points, closing at 7,631. 74 on Friday.

London close: Stocks rise as US inflation comes in cooler
London's stock markets ended the day on a positive note on Friday, with both of the bourse’s main indices showing gains.

Director dealings: Eckoh director raises stake via Scawton interest
Eckoh revealed on Friday that non-executive director David Coghlan had acquired 50,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed secure payment technology provider.

Berenberg downgrades Wood Group after outperformance
Berenberg downgraded Wood Group on Friday to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ following recent outperformance, as it lifted its price target to 200p from 165p due to "the improved outlook", but said near-term risks are somewhat balanced.
US PCE inflation rises less than expected
US inflation fell in February, according to data released on Friday by the Commerce Department.

US open: Stocks trade higher following PCE figures
Wall Street trading got off to a positive on Friday as market participants digested a fresh inflation reading at the start of what will be the final session of Q1.
NCC slumps on profit warning as US markets hit by volatility
Shares in cyber security company NCC Group slumped by more than a third on Friday after a profits warning, due to deteriorating market conditions in the US, including the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and its impact on customer confidence.
FTSE 250 movers: NCC tanks on profit warning; Vanquis Bank FY pleases
FTSE 250: 18,963. 47, +0. 29% at 1400 GMT.

US consumer confidence slips amid recession worries, U.Michigan says
Americans were less confident in March than during the prior month amid worries about a possible recession, the results of a closely followed survey revealed.

UBS double upgrades Beazley to ‘buy’
UBS upgraded insurer Beazley on Friday to ‘buy’ from ‘sell’ and lifted the price target to 688p from 646p as it said the pullback in the stock has been too severe.
Computacenter posts flat profit, sees 'buoyant' revenues this year
IT company Computacenter delivered flat annual profit but said revenues in the current year had been “extremely buoyant”.

FTSE 100 movers: IAG, Beazley boosted by broker upgrades
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 7,640. 88 in afternoon trade on Friday.

Hutchmed completes rolling FDA submission for colorectal cancer drug
Pharmaceuticals developer Hutchmed China announced the completion of its rolling submission of a new drug application (NDA) to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its oral inhibitor ‘fruquintinib’.

FireAngel inks expanded three-year deal with British Gas
Home safety specialist FireAngel announced a three-year contract with British Gas Services (BGSL) on Friday, to supply a range of its branded products.

Pantheon Resources losses narrow as it reassures over Alkaid
Oil and gas explorer and producer Pantheon Resources reported an interim loss of $1. 6m on Friday, narrowing from $4. 4m year-on-year.

R&Q appoints Jeffrey Hayman as new non-exec chair
Specialty non-life insurance company R&Q announced the appointment of Jeffrey Hayman as its non-executive chairman with immediate effect on Friday.

Jarvis Securities progressing through FCA-agreed review
Jarvis Securities updated the market on the skilled person review on Friday, which it first announced on 16 September last year.

James Halstead revenue rises, profits dip
Commercial flooring specialist James Halstead reported first-half revenue of £149. 6m on Friday, up from £136. 7m year-on-year.