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London close: Stocks negative as US-China relationship deteriorates
London stocks finished in negative territory on Friday, as it emerged that business activity in the UK grew at its fastest pace in five years in July, amid concerns about escalating tensions between the US and China.
US manufacturing growth resumes in June, IHS Markit says
US services and manufacturing continued to improve last month even as some states reversed or paused previous decisions to reopen their economies, the results of two closely-followed surveys showed.
Broker tips: Computacenter, Rentokill, Melrose Industries
Analysts at Berenberg hiked their target price on computer services provider Computacenter from 1,700p to 2,450p on Friday, stating its conviction was at all-time highs.
Director dealings: Greatland Gold CEO offloads shares
Greatland Gold revealed on Friday that chief executive Gervaise Heddle had disposed of 3. 5m ordinary shares in the AIM-listed exploration and development firm.
Barclays says Melrose Industries down but not out, stays at 'overweight'
Analysts at Barclays lowered their estimates for Melrose Industries but kept their recommendation for the shares, telling clients that a recovery in its automobile segment in 2021 might result in "upside surprises".
MP Evans production figures rise in H1
Oil palm plantation operator MP Evans said on Friday that crop and production figures had continued to rise during the first half of 2020.
Goldman Sachs to cough up $3.9bn to Malaysia in legal settlement
Goldman Sachs reached a $3. 9bn settlement with the Malaysian government over a 2018 scandal involving the 1MDB fund.
IAG considering €2.75bn rights issue to bolster balance sheet
IAG shares slid on Friday after the British Airways and Iberia parent said it is considering a rights issue of up to €2. 75bn to bolster its balance sheet.
Britvic gets full clearance for French juice asset sale
Soft drinks maker Britvic said on Friday that it has received full clearance from the French Competition Authority for the sale of its juice assets in France to Refresco.
FTSE 250 movers: Cineworld slumps on film delays; Centrica surges
London’s FTSE 250 was down 1. 1% at 17,295. 54 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Hutchison Chi-Med begins phase 1 study of 'HMPL-306'
Hutchison China MediTech, trading as Chi-Med, has initiated a phase 1 study of ‘HMPL-306’, it announced on Friday, in patients with hematological malignancies in China.
US open: Tech stocks slump amid heightened US-Sino tensions
Wall Street stocks opened lower on Friday as global Covid-19 cases surpassed 15. 5m and a flare-up in US-Sino tensions weighed on sentiment.
Integumen's Labskin launches remote clinical trials platform
Integumen announced on Friday that its subsidiary Labskin was launching its remote clinical skin trials platform, which it claimed was the world’s first of its type.
FTSE 100 movers: Vodafone declines; Ferguson shares rally on update
London’s FTSE 100 was down 1. 2% at 6,138. 91 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Friday broker round-up
Unilever: Barclays upgrades to overweight with a target price of 5,470. 0p.
Government to ban junk food ads before 9pm
The UK government is set to launch a new strategy to combat obesity that involves banning junk-food advertising from being aired before 9pm.
Europe midday: Stocks remain lower amid geopolitical tensions
Stocks in Europe remained moderately lower come midday, dragged down by US-China tensions and worries about the toll that recent Covid-19 outbreaks will take on economies as they try to reopen.