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Europe close: Positive vaccine news props up stocks
European stocks bounded back on Friday, driven by positive news-flow around efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, upbeat corporate earnings in the luxury sector, and a rebound overnight on Wall Street.
London close: FTSE finishes higher on positive vaccine news
London’s top-flight index finished in positive territory on Friday, as investors weighed concerns about tightening Covid-19 restrictions with positive developments on the vaccine front.
Brexit will hit UK firms harder than those from the EU, IFO says
Brexit will have a pronounced impact on Germany, but the hit to the UK will be especially hard, Germany's most prestigious economic research institute said.
Pfizer and BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine may be ready by late November
Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine candidate could be ready for use by the end of November, the boss of the former company, Albert Bourla, said.
Broker tips: Whitbread, JD Sports, Dixons Carphone
Analysts at Berenberg upgraded their rating on hotel operator Whitbread from 'hold' to 'buy' on Friday, stating the current price of the stock left the group undervalued given its real estate portfolio.
Director dealings: Audioboom chairman ups stake
Audioboom revealed on Friday that chairman Michael Tobin had acquired 5,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed podcasting company.
Open Orphan continues talks over coronavirus challenge study
Open Orphan updated the market on its talks with the UK government and other partners for a coronavirus challenge study in the UK on Friday, confirming that “advanced negotiations” were ongoing.
Ixico enters deal with NUY Langone Health for drug trial
Data analytics company Ixico has entered into an agreement with NYU Langone Health to support a trial to determine if the immunosuppressant drug Sirolimus, approved by the FDA to prevent organ transplant rejection and for the treatment of a rare and progressive lung disease called lymphangioleiomyomatosis, is also able to slow the progression of disease in people with multiple system atrophy (MSA).
Week ahead: China data, global manufacturing in focus
Investors focus over the coming week will be split between Asia and a raft of surveys on global manufacturing sector conditions.
Braveheart upbeat on progress with Paraytec
Braveheart Investment Group updated the market on progress with the proof-of-concept for a Covid-19 test that Paraytec was conducting with the University of Sheffield.
US open: Stocks set to snap losing streak after strong retail sales data
Wall Street stocks opened higher on Friday as vaccine news, stimulus talks, a solid beat in September retail sales figures and a strong preliminary reading of the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index were all in focus.
US consumer confidence rises in October, University of Michigan says
The American consumer grew a bit more confidence in October, the results of the most closely followed gauge for confidence across the country revealed.
FTSE 250 movers: Serco surges on guidance; Wetherspoons slides
London’s FTSE 250 was flat at 17,845. 41 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US industrial output surprises to the downside in September
Industrial output in the US missed economists' forecasts by a mile in September amid a slump in output of automobiles and computers.
US retail sales bound past forecasts in September
Americans continued to splash out at pace last month, despite the slowdown in hiring and a rebound in Covid-19 infections in many states.
FTSE 100 movers: Rolls-Royce rallies on Boeing news; IAG flies lower
London’s FTSE 100 was up 1. 3% at 5,909. 77 in afternoon trade on Friday.
RBC Capital upgrades Dixons Carphone, JD Sports
RBC Capital Markets upgraded its rating on JD Sports and Dixons Carphone on Friday.
Pound slumps as Johnson tells UK to 'get ready' for no-deal Brexit
Tensions on stalled Brexit trade talks heightened on Friday as Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britons should prepare for no-deal if the EU did not compromise.
Arcontech signs new agreement with tier 1 bank client
Financial market data processing and trading company Arcontech announced the signing of a new agreement with a longstanding tier 1 bank client on Friday.