Latest News
Week ahead: US inflation, Asian central banks in focus
The spotlight in financial markets is expected to continue to be on US inflation readings, in particular, although a myriad of key reports and policy decisions are also due throughout the week.
Europe close: Stocks end week on an up note
European shares were mostly higher at the end of the week and near record highs despite continuing worries about inflation.
London close: Stocks end week on a 'guardedly positive' note
London stocks finished the week slightly lower, held back throughout most of the session by a stronger pound after solid retail sales and manufacturing data.
Broker tips: Travis Perkins, Blue Prism, Hargreaves Lansdown
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity reiterated their 'buy' rating on builders' merchant Travis Perkins on Friday after having finally disposed of its plumbing and heating business.
Snap purchases WaveOptics in $500m deal
Snap has acquired WaveOptics in a $500m deal with an aim to develop a project to create glasses that people can wear to see computer-generated imagery overlaid on top of the real world.
EMA gives 'thumbs up' for GSK Covid-19 treatment sotrovimab
The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Human Medicinal Products issued a 'positive scientific opinion' for the Covid-19 treatment developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology, sotrovimab.
FTSE 250 movers: Biffa gains on acquisition; Diversified Energy slumps
London’s FTSE 250 was flat at 22,393. 93 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US services and factory activity expanding at record pace in May, Markit says
Far from slowing, economic activity in the US expanded at a record pace in May, according to the results of two closely-followed surveys.
US open: Stocks move higher after breaking three-day losing streak in prior session
Wall Street stocks opened higher on Friday after major indices bounced back from a three-day losing streak in the prior session.
US pre-open: Wall Street futures in the green after first positive session in days
Wall Street futures had stocks opening higher ahead of the bell on Friday after major indices bounced back from a three-day losing streak in the prior session.
FTSE 100 movers: BT recovers after downgrade; Kingfisher loses ground
London’s FTSE 100 was flat at 7,022. 24 in afternoon trade.
Eurozone business activity grows at fastest pace in more than 3 years
Eurozone business activity grew at its fastest pace in more than three years in May as coronavirus restrictions in many parts of the region were lifted, according to figures released on Friday.
Cannacord Genuity reiterates 'buy' rating on Travis Perkins
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity reiterated their 'buy' rating on builders' merchant Travis Perkins on Friday after having finally disposed of its plumbing and heating business.
Electra Private Equity to float TGI Fridays on London market
Electra Private Equity said on Friday that it plans to float US-themed restaurant chain TGI Fridays on the London Stock Exchange as it enters the final stages of its wind down.
Friday broker round-up
Hotel Chocolat Group: Berenberg reiterates hold with a target price of 390p.
FirstGroup once again urges shareholders to back $4.6bn US deal
FirstGroup has once again urged its shareholders to back the sale of two business, First Student and First Transit to EQT Infrastructure, after its largest shareholder Coast Capital said it would vote against the deal.
Berenberg lowers target price on Blue Prism
Analysts at Berenberg lowered their target price on software and services provider Blue Prism from 1,375. 0p to 1,100. 0p on Friday, stating recent events had given it cause to reflect once again on the key issues at the firm.
Elon Musk says Tesla considering Russia as next production hub
Elon Musk said on Friday that Tesla was considering Russia as a potential production hub and would look into whether it could open factories there.
London midday: Stocks muted as solid data boosts sterling
London stocks were still treading water by midday on Friday, held back by a stronger pound after solid retail sales and manufacturing data.
One in four consumers plan to buy an vehicle in next 5 years
Ahead of Ofgem’s launch of its COP26 ‘green, fair future’ campaign, new research has found that almost one in four (24%) consumers, or 6. 5m UK households, plan to buy an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid in the next five years.