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US close: Stocks close near record highs as JPMorgan and Disney put on a show
US stocks closed higher on Friday as bellwether JPMorgan Chase kicked off the first-quarter earnings season with a solid performance and Disney shot up after announcing its foray into the streaming world.
FTSE 250 movers: Games Workshop rolls higher, Plus500 plummets
London's FTSE 250 index was 0. 33% higher at 19,684. 98 in afternoon trade on Friday, with Games Workshop propelling the index upwards.
London close: Stocks finish higher after stronger data in China, upbeat earnings in US
London stocks finished higher on Friday as investors mulled mixed Chinese data and stronger-than-expected earnings from US banking heavyweight JP Morgan, with the latter beating estimates "on almost every front" according to analysts at RBC Capital Markets.
Broker tips: Plus500, Micro Focus
Berenberg downgraded its stance on shares of online trading platform Plus500 to 'hold' from 'buy' on Friday and slashed the price target to 770p from 1,800p after it posted a big drop in first-quarter revenues amid "extremely subdued" financial markets.
Barclays downgrades Micro Focus to 'equal weight' following share price recovery
Analysts at Barclays downgraded their recommendation on software and information technology business Micro Focus to 'equal weight' on Friday as part of a wider review of the European software and services industry's first quarter performance.
US open: Stocks open higher as bellwether JPMorgan Chase tops estimates
US stocks recorded some gains at the open on Friday as bellwether JPMorgan Chase kicked off the first-quarter earnings season in style.
Director dealings: Franchise Brands director ups stake
Franchise Brands non-executive director David Poutney acquired 100,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed multi-brand franchisor on Friday.
UK asset managers offer growth but 'face challenges and risks'
Intermediate Capital Group was Barclays' top pick as it kicked off coverage of the UK-listed asset management sector, while Standard Life Aberdeen was downgraded.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally as copper gains; Schroders boosted by Barclays note
London's FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 7,426. 89 in afternoon trade on Friday, finding little support from impressive earnings across the pond from bellwethers JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo.
US consumer sentiment deteriorates in April
US consumer sentiment unexpectedly deteriorated in April as the previous boost from tax cuts evaporated, according to a preliminary reading from the University of Michigan.
Second Brexit referendum vote could happen, says Hammond
Parliament is likely to be given another chance to decide whether to hold a second Brexit referendum, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said on Thursday.
Berenberg downgrades Plus500 to 'hold' as revenues slump
Berenberg downgraded its stance on shares of online trading platform Plus500 to 'hold' from 'buy' on Friday and slashed the price target to 770p from 1,800p after it posted a big drop in first-quarter revenues amid "extremely subdued" financial markets.
African Battery Metals restarts exploration at Kisinka
Battery metal exploration and development company African Battery Metals announced the recommencement of exploration activities at its Kisinka Copper-Cobalt project in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday.
Angle's Parsortix to be used in new Greece study
Liquid biopsy company Angle announced on Friday that a leading customer has established a multi-centre study to investigate biomarkers on circulating tumor cells (CTCs), using its ‘Parsortix’ system, which could give advance warning of relapse in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Tasty raising £3.25m to pay down debt
Casual dining restaurant operator Tasty announced a conditional firm placing and open offer to raise up to £3. 25m before expenses on Friday.
Anglo American SA chairman steps down after 18 years
Anglo American on Friday announced that management committee member Norman Mbazima, also the deputy chairman of its South Africa subsidiary, will step down after 18 years with the company.
Nu-Oil to raise £0.25m via open offer
Nu-Oil and Gas announced an open offer to raise up to approximately £0. 25m before expenses on Friday, through the issue of up to 83,333,333 new ordinary shares at an issue price of 0. 3p each.
Yellow Cake raises £26m to invest in uranium
Specialist uranium sector company Yellow Cake announced on Friday that 12 million new ordinary shares had been placed with existing and new institutional investors at a price of £2. 15 each, via an accelerated bookbuild.
Europa sees improved revenues during 'very active' first half
UK and Ireland-focussed oil and gas exploration, development and production company Europa Oil & Gas Holdings reported a slight improvement in revenue in its interim results on Friday, to £0. 9m from £0. 8m a year earlier.