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FX round-up: Pound clobbered after weak Q2 GDP
Sterling finished the week on a down note amid a pick up in 'market chatter' about a potential slide towards parity against the single currency given the new government's willingness to risk a 'no-deal' Brexit.
Europe close: Italian stocks clobbered as Conte government falls
Stocks across the Continent fell back at the end of the week following news that the Italian Senate might schedule a no-confidence vote against the current government for as soon as Monday, threatening to reignite tensions around the euro area's fourth largest economy.
Commodities: Crude oil futures rise as US rig count dips
Energy futures were bouncing back at the end of the week, despite ongoing trade war jitters in global financial markets.
Pennant International warns on profits following contract delays
Military training systems supplier Pennant International on Friday warned full year profits would be "materially lower" than expected due to delays in delivering a contract.
Week ahead: Italian politics, China data in focus
The spotlight during the coming week is likely to be on the no-confidence vote scheduled in the Italian Senate which might herald fresh elections as soon as next October.
EU clashes with Indonesia over palm oil
The European Union and Indonesia have clashed over palm oil and an increase in import tariffs on EU dairy products to between 8. 0%-18. 0%.
Broker tips: Hastings, NMC Health, Ryanair
Analysts at Berenberg slightly lowered their target price on insurance group Hastings' shares from 228p to 221p on Friday, noting that they expected the pricing cycle to turn and leave the company "well-positioned to benefit".
London close: Stocks finish red as investors digest weak GDP data
London stocks finished in the red at the close on Friday, with the pound remaining under pressure after it emerged that the UK economy contracted in the second quarter for the first time since 2012.
Ryanair shares set to 'tread water', says Canaccord
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity trimmed their target price on low-cost European carrier Ryanair's shares from €10. 90 to €10. 20 on Friday, noting that the group's share price looked set "to tread water" until the revenue environment recovered.
Director dealings: Spouse of Spirax-Sarco chair acquires shares
Spirax-Sarco Engineering revealed on Friday that chairman Jamie Pike's spouse Clare had acquired 1,250 ordinary shares in the FTSE 100-listed group.
Office avoids CVA but around 50 stores set to close
The South African-owned footwear chain has announced it could close as many as half its 100 UK shops as leases expire but won’t do it through a CVA.
Xtract Resources upbeat on informal report on Eureka
Xtract Resources announced on Friday that its technical consultants had provided an informal report on the integration of the previous exploration databases, and undertaken an interim review of drill targets over the Eureka project on the copper-gold small scale mining licence 22134-HQ-SML in the central part of the Republic of Zambia.
Europa Metals submits initial document for Toral Project
Lead, zinc and silver developer Europa Metals has submitted an initial document for formal review by all key administration stakeholders, including the Department of the Environment in Castilla y León region, north west Spain, as well as private stakeholders, in connection with the process for obtaining an exploitation license for its 100%-owned Toral lead-zinc-silver project, it announced on Friday.
US open: Stocks head south as Wall Street follows Europe's lead
US stocks traded lower at the bell on Friday, tracking losses in Europe as political woes in Italy weighed on investor sentiment across the Continent.
Amerisur confirms 'multiple' interested parties in formal sale process
Amerisur Resources updated the market on its strategic review and formal sale process on Friday, following its announcement of the review and sale process on 19 July, which was instigated after the company said it had received interest in itself and its assets from “other industry partners”.
FTSE 250 movers: Funding Circle rallies again; Hikma jumps on upgraded guidance
London's FTSE 250 was down 0. 2% to 19,101. 24 in afternoon trade on Friday, with Funding Circle on the rise again.
FTSE 100 movers: WPP gains on results; NMC Health heads lower
London's FTSE 100 was down 0. 4% at 7,259. 45 in afternoon trade on Friday, in the red but outperforming its European peers as sterling slumped on the release of weak UK GDP data.
Alexander Mining raises £0.48m in placing
Mining, minerals and metals processing technology company Alexander Mining has successfully placed 2,375,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of 0. 02p per share, it announced on Friday, raising £0. 48m before expenses through its sole broker and placing agent Turner Pope Investments.
Chinese schoolchildren work overnight to assemble Amazon Alexa devices
Hundreds of children have been working overnight at Amazon sites in China assembling Alexa devices in an attempt to hit production targets, the Guardian revealed on Friday.