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Europe close: Stocks eye possible break in Brexit, US-China storm clouds
Stocks on the Continent pushed higher with investors apparently eyeing a possible break in the storm clouds around Brexit and US-China trade talks.
London close: Investors take pound strength in their stride, push shares higher
London stocks extended their gains on Friday, with investors taking pound strength in stride and taking heart from the latest Brexit developments in Parliament and signs of progress in Sino-US relations.
Trainline eyes £1bn flotation
Rail and coach ticket booking platform Trainline is on track for a £1bn listing on the London Stock Exchange in the coming months.
FTSE 250 movers: Restaurant Group pleases, Greencore moulders
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 67% at 19,413. 10 in afternoon trade on Friday, as a surge from Restaurant Group propelled the index upward.
Tories meet DUP to nail down support for Brexit deal
The UK government is locked in talks with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party to seek backing for Theresa May's Brexit plan ahead of a third 'meaningful vote' next Tuesday.
US job openings edge higher in January, pointing to gradual pick-up in wages
Rates for job openings and voluntary so-called 'quits' in the US were unchanged in January, pointing to a gradual acceleration in wage growth, economists said.
Sector movers: Risk-on tide carries most ships higher
Almost all UK stocks were in the green on Friday, with transport, construction and telecoms stocks at the forefront, while automobiles & parts were in the red despite reported progress in US-China trade talks.
Broker tips: Cairn Energy, Greencore, Bakkavor
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets downgraded shares of oil and gas outfit Cairn Energy from 'outperform' to 'sector perform' on Friday, noting that the "chance of a quick, 160p, payout" had been deferred.
Brexiter MPs reject Cox's backstop get-out clause
Eurosceptics in parliament have rejected attorney general Geoffrey Cox’ latest legal advice on the Irish backstop, which was updated in order to try and finally get a divorce deal through parliament.
FTSE 100 movers: Hikma heads higher as Morrisons retreats
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 6% to 7,227. 31 in afternoon trade on Friday as investors welcomed the latest Brexit developments in Parliament and signs of progress in Sino-US relations.
Tesla unveils its second electric SUV
Tesla unveiled its new electric crossover SUV, the Model Y, on Thursday evening in Hawthorne.
African Battery Metals gets into nickel game with Katoro Gold investment
African Battery Metals has acquired an interest in Katoro Gold, and entered into an option agreement with Katoro to acquire an interest in the Haneti Nickel Project in Tanzania, it announced on Friday.
Apple responds to Spotify's complaint to antitrust regulators
Apple responded on Thursday to Spotify’s complaints to EU antitrust regulators about unfair treatment by saying the streaming service “wants all the benefits of a free app without being free”.
RBC Capital downgrades Cairn Energy as the 'fast money' moves on
Analysts at RBC Capital Markets downgraded shares of oil and gas outfit Cairn Energy from 'outperform' to 'sector perform' on Friday, noting that the "chance of a quick, 160p, payout" had been deferred.
Mereo BioPharma merger with OncoMed moves closer
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Mereo BioPharma Group updated the market on its proposed combination with OncoMed Pharmaceuticals on Friday, which it said should close in the second quarter of 2019.
Interserve to go into administration as rescue deal blocked
Interserve is likely to go into administration on Friday evening and sell its entire business to its lenders after plans for a rescue fundraising were blocked by a US hedge fund.
OnTheMarket takes further aim at Rightmove with new tool
Residential property portal OnTheMarket announced on Friday that its ‘Market Appraisal Guide’ tool was now available for agents to use when preparing appraisals for current and prospective new clients.
US open: Mixed trading at the bell as US-Sino trade talks seem to progress
Wall Street trading got off to a mixed start on Friday despite signs of progress in Sino-US trade relations, but the S&P 500 appeared to be trying to break above a key level of technical resistance, possibly helped by the retreat in expectations for further policy tightening by the country's central bank.
US consumer sentiment improves in March - Uni Michigan
Consumer sentiment in the US improved in March, according to a preliminary reading from the University of Michigan.