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Europe close: Investors take some profits amid latest coronavirus headlines
Investors took some profits on European stocks at the end of the week amid light trading volumes on account of the Independence Day holiday Stateside.
Europe midday: Investors take profits amid reports of divisions in ECB
Investors took some profits on European stocks at the end of the week amid light trading volumes on account of the Independence Day holiday Stateside.
London close: Stocks finish weaker on renewed Covid fears
London stocks stayed below the waterline on Friday afternoon to close in the red, giving back the previous session’s gains as investors mulled over the latest reading on the UK services sector.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week at 6,157. 30, which was two points lower than its close last Friday.
Director dealings: Metro Bank CEO makes share purchase
Metro Bank revealed on Friday that chief executive Daniel Frumkin had acquired 500,000 ordinary shares in the London-listed retail banking group.
FTSE 250 movers: Cineworld, Aston Martin pace fallers
London's second-tier index ended the last session of the week down by 0. 48% at 17,284. 75, amid profit-taking on light trading volumes on the back of the 4 July holiday in the States.
New Covid-19 cases in US hit single-day record
The US reported more than 55,000 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a new global record for the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fuller's delays FY results, reveals reopening plans
Pub landlord Fuller, Smith & Turner delayed publication of its full-year results on Friday, stating its auditors had informed the group that it would need "additional time" to complete the process.
Broker tips: Next, Civitas
Goldman Sachs downgraded its stance on shares of Next to ‘sell’ from ‘neutral’ and cut the price target to 4,400p from 5,300p as it said the retailer is working hard to offset a structural shift to more intense online competition, but this is likely to result in no revenue growth post-Covid-19.
Berenberg nudges up target price on Civitas
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on shares of real estate investment trust Civitas Social Housing from 100. 0p to 115. 0p on Friday, stating the group's diversification would enhance its earnings profile.
Poundstretcher could potentially close half of its stores in six weeks
Discount retailer Poundstretcher could be on track to close as many as half its stores in August, potentially leaving 2,000 jobs hanging in the balance, after landlords and creditors approved a rescue restructuring.
Victoria Oil files for arbitration with ENEO over non-payment
Victoria Oil & Gas updated the market on the gas sales agreement between its wholly-owned subsidiary Gaz du Cameroun (GDC), and ENEO Cameroon, on Friday, reporting its termination of the supply deal due to non-payment.
Covid crisis hinders UniVision recovery
CCTV and surveillance company UniVision updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 March and the first quarter of the new financial year on Friday, following its reduced revenues and margin in the first half of the 2020 financial year.
Friday broker round-up
Next: Goldman Sachs downgrades to sell with a target price of 4,400. 0p.
Rolls-Royce 'reviewing options' to strengthen balance sheet, shares tank
Rolls-Royce confirmed on Friday that it is in the early stages of reviewing options to strengthen its balance sheet and position itself for recovery after the Covid-19 crisis.
FTSE 100 movers: Rolls-Royce sinks; Land Securities gains
London’s FTSE 100 was down 1. 5% to 6,147. 42 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Vela shares surge on adjusted holding in North Peak Resources
Vela Technologies updated the market on its holding of North Peak Resources on Friday, following North Peak’s change of business transaction.
Draper Esprit to cash in from Zynga purchase of Peak Games
Technology-focussed venture capital company Draper Esprit said on Friday that interactive entertainment giant Zynga has acquired Peak Games, the Istanbul-based creator of Toon Blast and Toy Blast, for a total price of about $1. 85bn.
Power Metal making progress at Kisinka project
Metals exploration and development company Power Metal Resources updated the market on its 70%-owned Kisinka Copper-Cobalt Project on Friday, which is located around 30 kilometres east of the regional capital of Lubumbashi, in the southern part of the Katangan copper belt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Carnival's Costa extends cruise operations pause to 15 August
Carnival’s Costa Cruises has extended the pause for all of its cruises until 15 August and cancelled all cruises in Northern Europe for the rest of the 2020 summer season.