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Europe close: Stocks awash in red after weak German data
Stocks on the Continent slumped on the back of data showing the weakest reading on euro area manufacturing for 71 months that pushed yields on long-dated German Bunds back into the negative and amid heightened uncertainty around the UK's exit from the European Union.
Europe midday: Stocks drop as euro area manufacturing hits 71-month low
Stocks on the Continent have failed to track the strong gains seen overnight on Wall Street, hampered by the weakest reading on euro area manufacturing for 71 months that has pushed yields on long-dated German Bunds back into the negative and the ongoing heightened uncertainty around the UK's exit from the European Union.
London close: FTSE indices join global sell-off amid growth concerns
London stocks were pummeled on Friday, even as the pound regained some composure after European leaders gave the UK a few more weeks to organise its withdrawal from the bloc, while weak German manufacturing data sparked global growth concerns, with the selling in shares extending across the Pond to Wall Street.
Directors dealings: RPC finance chief plays it safe
RPC's director of finance opted on Thursday to play it safe, selling a large packet of shares in the packaging supplier the day before Berry Group told the market that it would not be tabling a higher takeover offer, unless the company received a better bid from someone else.
LMS Capital books loss as NAV stumbles
LMS Capital on Friday reported that it swung to an annual loss after its net asset value declined with the company now pondering its investment options.
Central Bank of Russia opens door to rate cut as soon as 2019
Rate-setters in Moscow lowered their forecast for consumer price inflation and opened the door to a cut in official interest as soon as 2019.
Sector movers: Risk off day as global growth worries weigh
All of London's sectors were in the red on Friday, led by oil-related stocks and industrial engineers.
FTSE 250 movers: Oilers slide, Ted Baker bounces back
London's FTSE 250 was 1. 35% lower at 19,086. 56 in afternoon trading on Friday, as oil and gas industry names led the index lower.
Credit Suisse downgrades Kingfisher on 'lack of catalysts'
Kingfisher’s turnaround plan is still “the right plan”, believes Credit Suisse, but analysts reckon the stock “lacks a near-term catalyst” and faces downside risks from the wider economies of the UK and France.
FTSE 100 movers: Smiths rallies on results; paper companies slump
London's FTSE 100 was down 2. 1% to 7,199. 68 in afternoon trade on Friday, dragged lower by a stronger pound, as weak German manufacturing data weighed on sentiment.
GVC chairman said to be leaving just days after £6m stake sale
Ladbrokes owner GVC Holdings was said on Friday to be preparing for the departure of chairman Lee Feldman, just days after he sold off a £6m stake in the company.
FireAngel Safety Tech inks smoke detector deal in Scotland
Home safety products supplier FireAngel Safety Technology Group announced on Friday that it is to supply smoke and heat alarms to a further housing association in Scotland.
Rockfire Resources leaps on 'extremely high-grade' copper discovery
Rockfire Resources' shares shot higher on Friday after the miner said it discovered high-grade copper in samples at its project in Central Queensland, Australia.
US open: Wall Street flops as investors keep yanking funds from stocks
Trading on Wall Street has gotten off to a volatile start with weak German manufacturing figures sparking worries about global growth, sending traders scurrying for the relative safety of the fixed income space, although some strategists continued to see gains ahead.
Peel Hunt initiates Centamin at 'hold'
Peel Hunt initiated coverage of gold miner Centamin at 'hold' with a 95p price target on Friday, saying it sees a production recovery at the Sukari mine starting in the second quarter, but with an increased year-over-year cost base.
Sainsbury's and Asda offer to sell up to 150 stores
Sainsbury and Asda have to offered to sell between 125 and 150 supermarkets, plus a number of convenience stores and petrol stations, to another grocery rival or a new entrant in a bid to persuade authorities to allow their merger.
US manufacturing activity drops to 21-month low
Activity in the US manufacturing sector hit a 21-month low in March, according to preliminary data released on Friday.
i3 Energy contracts Gardline for drilling programme site survey
Independent oil and gas company i3 Energy has contracted Gardline to conduct a site survey for its 2019 and 2020 drilling programme, plus the pipeline route for its Liberator Phase I development, it announced on Friday.
US existing home sales jump back in February, NAR says
Second hand sales of homes in the States rebounded sharply last month, bolstered by lower mortgage rates, growing incomes and improved consumer confidence.