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Week ahead: Covid-19 vaccines, US fiscal stimulus in focus
Financial markets' focus over the coming week is likely to remain firmly on the Covid-19 pandemic and global attempts to rein it in and stop it.
Europe close: Stocks dip amid concern around outlook for summer tourism
European shares extended losses at the end of the week as fears of extended Covid travel curbs on the continent, downbeat UK retail sales and weak business survey readings all hit sentiment.
New Covid-19 strain may be deadlier, PM says
The Prime Minister said there was "some" evidence that the strain of Covid-19 first detected in the UK may be more lethal as well as more easily transmitted.
Nissan claims Brexit gave it competitive edge on car battery tariffs
Nissan claimed on Friday that Brexit had given the carmaker an edge because now it would purchase more batteries within the UK in order to avoid tariffs.
London close: Stocks finish weaker amid travel restriction concerns
London stocks closed in negative territory on Friday, as weak data and worries about the effect of prolonged lockdowns and travel restrictions knocked sentiment.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week 40. 64 points lower, closing at 6,695. 07 on Friday.
Broker tips: Hargreaves Lansdown, Bango, Bunzl, British Land
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity raised their target price on financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown from 1,493. 0p to 1,695. 0p on Friday following the strong market rally into the 2020 calendar year-end.
Wizz Air takes on board shareholder feedback over executive pay
Budget airline Wizz Air has taken on board feedback from shareholders who voted down the pay of executive directors at the company’s annual meeting last year and will be incorporating it into the remuneration policy to be presented at the next AGM.
88 Energy seeking clarification on US drilling permit suspension
88 Energy updated the market on its operations in the NPR-A region of the North Slope of Alaska on Friday, saying it was currently seeking clarification on a recently-announced 60-day suspension of authority for Department Bureaus and Offices in relation to the issue of new drilling permits on federal land by the US Department of the Interior.
Rolls-Royce hires MWM Consulting to pick next chairman
Rolls-Royce Holdings has hired the headhunter, MWM Consulting to help identify its next chairman.
Vela Technologies disposes of holding in BlockchainK2
Vela Technologies announced on Friday that, between 12 and 20 January, it disposed of its entire holding of 272,000 shares in BlockchainK2 at prices between 86 Canadian cents and CAD 1. 5255 per share.
Director dealings: Draper Esprit co-founder lowers stake
Draper Esprit revealed on Friday that chief portfolio officer Stuart Chapman had disposed of 300,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed venture capital firm.
FTSE 100 movers: Next under pressure; dollar-earners gain
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 5% at 6,685. 26 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Heathrow workers to strike in February over fire and rehire dispute
Unite members working at Heathrow Airport will undertake renewed strike action in February in response to the increasingly “bitter” dispute with the company.
US existing home sales jump forecasts in December
Sales of second-hand homes in the States sped past forecasts at the end of 2020, taking the full-year increase to its highest level since before the Great Financial Crisis.
FTSE 250 movers: Travel & leisure stocks hit; Kainos surges
London’s FTSE 250 was down 0. 9% at 20,613. 61 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US open: Stocks head south, investors reconsider Biden's stimulus package
Wall Street stocks opened in the red on Friday as market participants continued to mull over Joe Biden's Covid-19 stimulus plan.
US business activity jumps at the start of 2021, IHS Markit says
Business activity in the US jumped at the start of 2021 amid hopes that Covid-19 vaccines would put an end to the pandemic and in anticipation of the new administration's policies, the results of two surveys showed.
Friday broker round-up
British Land: Deutsche Bank upgrades to buy with a target price of 490p.
Ford set to recall 3m vehicles with faulty airbags
Ford Motor announced on Thursday that it will recall 3m vehicles due to faulty airbag inflators at a cost to the company of $610m.