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Europe close: Stocks end on mixed note amid calls for ECB to act
Stocks finished the session on a mixed note amid speculation that the European Central Bank could yet take a little longer before easing policy further.
London close: Pound strength caps gains in Footsie
London's top-flight index was dragged lower by continued strength in Sterling at the end of the week, albeit only marginally, amid building expectations for rate cut across the Pond, even as Wall Street's main market gauges nudged higher into record territory.
A 'couple' of rate cuts consistent with price stability, Fed's Evans says
A top US central bank official said that two interest rate cuts would be consistent with the monetary authority's price stability mandate.
FTSE 100 movers: Homebuilders build on previous session's gains
Homebuilders' shares including those of Persimmon, Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey and Berkeley Group were all near the top of the leaderboard, helped by the recent rebound in sentiment towards the sector.
US open: Dow extends gains as investors continue to digest comments from Powell
US stocks opened mostly higher on Friday after Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell further boosted optimism for rate cuts during his second testimony before Congress the day before.
US Labor Secretary Acosta resigns over Epstein case
US Labor Secretary Alex Acosta on Friday resigned over a plea deal he made with wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein, a sex offender charged with human trafficking girls as young as 14.
US final demand prices edge up in June but unchanged at the core level
Wholesale price inflation in the States was a tad more muted than anticipated last month with core prices holding steady for a third consecutive month.
S&P raises outlook on BP's long-term debt to 'positive'
Standard&Poor's raised the outlook on oil major BP's long-term A- debt rating from 'neutral' to 'positive', labelling its operating performance "robust" and arguing it would allow the outfit to absorb the impact of its acquisition of some of BHP's assets "without material deterioration in credit metrics".
Don't believe everything you read about US-China trade, White House's Navarro says
A top White House official said at the end of the week that the trade talks between Washington and Beijing had entered a "quiet period" and not to believe reports in either country's press, dismissing them both as "garbage".
FTSE 250 movers: Sophos Group and housebuilders lead charge, PageGroup still languishes
The FTSE 250 had its head above water on Friday afternoon, with housebuilders joining tech firm Sophos on the green side of the ledger.
Iran demands return of tanker as UK sends second frigate to Gulf
Iran demanded the UK release an oil tanker seized in Gibraltar last week and warned Britain was playing a “dangerous game” as the Royal Navy prepared to send a second warship to the region.
ShoreCap stands by 'hold' rating on Whitbread ahead of tender offer
Analysts at Shore Capital Markets reiterated their 'hold' rating on Premier Inn operator Whitbread on Friday.
Hurricane Energy's CMD delivered the right message, says Morgan Stanley
Analysts at Morgan Stanley sounded an upbeat note on Hurricane Energy's shares a day after the oil explorer told shareholders present at its Capital Markets Day that the so-called early production system at the Lancaster field was performing ahead of expectations.
Berenberg reiterates 'buy' rating on 'transformational' Hurricane Energy
Analysts at Berenberg reiterated their 'buy' rating on British oil exploration and production company Hurricane Energy on Friday as the de-risking of its fractured basements continued.
US pre-open: Dow futures point to more gains after record highs in previous session
Wall Street futures were higher in pre-market trading on Friday after Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell further boosted optimism for rate cuts during the second day of his testimony before Congress.
Bank Rate might be headed towards zero in 'no deal' Brexit
Bank Rate might be headed towards zero in case of a no-deal Brexit, a top Bank of England official said at the end of the week.
Europe midday: Stocks edge higher boosted by hopes for central bank easing
Stocks are holding mostly higher come midday, buoyed by hopes for easier central bank policy and a record close on the Dow Jones Industrial overnight, although international trade concerns continued to be very much present.
London midday: Investors brush-off warning that Bank Rate might be slashed to zero
Stocks were continuing to trade slightly higher come midday on the back of a record close overnight on the Dow Jones Industrials and continued hopes of looser central bank policies, even as a top Bank of England official said that Bank Rate might have to be cut nearly to zero in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Shearwater's Brookcourt scores multi-year contract with Deloitte
Organisational resilience group Shearwater told investors on Friday that Brookcourt Solutions had won a contract with Deloitte ES Cyber Risk Services.