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Week ahead: UK data and central banks in focus
The focus over the coming week will be on a raft of UK economic indicators which will help investors to better gauge the performance of the UK economy at the turn of the year.
FTSE 100 movers: RBS leads index lower, AstraZeneca sinks on fall in profit
The FTSE 100 was down 0. 58% at the end of afternoon trading on Friday, at 7,409. 13.
London close: RBS drags Footsie lower
Not even a dip in sterling was able to offset the drag from RBS's share price drop on the top flight index, but the FTSE 250 fared considerably better, likely in anticipation of fiscal largesse at the next budget on 11 March.
Europe close: Investors play it safe heading into the weekend
Stocks in Europe ended the session a tad lower as investors tried to understand what the spike in confirmed coronavirus cases the day before, due to a change in methodology by Chinese officials, really meant.
Broker tips: RBS, Trifast
Royal Bank of Scotland could be planning a direct purchase of part of the government's stake after disappointing investors with the dividend announced at the bank's annual results, Jefferies analysts said.
CMA calls for action after Tesco unlawfully blocked rival supermarkets
The Competition and Markets Authority is calling for action after Tesco unlawfully blocked rival supermarkets from opening shops near its stores.
FTSE 250 movers: Galliford Try at five-year high, Dunelm facing no resistance
London’s FTSE 250 was up 0. 54% at 21,790. 08 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US open: Stocks little changed heading into long weekend
Wall Street's main market gauges were mixed near the mid-point of the session after the release of a weaker-than-expected reading on US retail sales and with investors cautious heading into the long weekend, not least due to the risk of surprises regarding the coronavirus in China.
US consumer confidence continues to improve in January
The most closely-followed gauge of US consumers' spirits continued rising in early February, coming within a whisker of its highest level in the current 11-year long economic expansion.
HydroDec shares plunge as it reports on 'challenging' year
Industrial oil re-refining company HydroDec Group updated the market on its trading for 2019 on Friday, reporting a fall in revenue to approximately $11. 6m, from $14. 9m, which the board said was impacted by working capital constraints.
Brickability acquires Essex-based McCann Roofing Products
Construction materials distributor Brickability Group has completed the acquisition of McCann Roofing Products - a roofing products importer and distributor - for £2. 75m, it announced on Friday.
Zuckerberg 'happy' for Facebook to pay more taxes in Europe
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Friday that he accepts that tech giants should pay more tax in Europe.
SDX Energy upbeat on drilling progress at South Disouq
Middle East and North Africa-focussed oil and gas company SDX Energy announced on Friday that the SD-6X Salah well at South Disouq in Egypt, where it has a 55% working interest, has begun drilling operations.
Yourgene's 'Elucigene DPYD' approved for sale in Australia
Molecular diagnostics company Yourgene Health announced on Friday that its chemotoxicity diagnostics assay, ‘Elucigene DPYD’, which tests to identify cancer patients at risk of lethal side effects from chemotherapy, has been approved for sale in Australia by the country’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD).
Europa Metals shares fall as it releases geotechnical results from Toral
Europe-focussed lead-zinc and silver developer Europa Metals announced the results of its recently-completed independent geotechnical study at its wholly-owned Toral lead, zinc and silver project in the Castilla y León region of north west Spain on Friday.
Airtel Africa raises $38m through IPO of Malawi subsidiary
Telecommunications and mobile money provider Airtel Africa announced the results of the initial public offering of its subsidiary Airtel Malawi on the main market of the Malawi Stock Exchange on Friday.
US January retail sales boosted by building materials
US retail sales grew a bit less than expected last month even as Americans splashed out on building materials and furniture.
US import prices edge past forecasts in January
Dearer fuel imports kept the cost of foreign goods in the US from falling at the start of 2019.
ShoreCap downgrades Trifast, highlights long-term decline in auto industry
Analysts at ShoreCap downgraded their recommendation for shares of Trifast after the company guided towards the lower end of its previous guidance range on the back of more challenging than expected market conditions.