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Europe midday: Travel stocks crash on Covid variant but biotech in favour
European shares were still firmly out of favour at midday on Friday as fears of the new Covid variant from South Africa battered travel stocks with investors fearing another lockdown and restrictions.
US pre-open: Futures firmly in the red as new Covid-19 strain found in South Africa
Wall Street futures were pointing to heavy losses ahead of the bell on Friday as traders return from Thursday's Thanksgiving Day holiday to worries about a new and virulent strain of Covid-19 found in South Africa.
Europe open: Travel stocks battered on Covid variant fears
European shares turned sharply red at the open on Friday as fears of the new Covid variant from South Africa battered travel stocks with investors fearing another lockdown and global restrictions.
London midday: Sea of red as travel shares tumble on new Covid variant
London’s equity markets were still a sea of red by midday on Friday, with travel shares under the cosh as investors were spooked by a new Covid variant found in South Africa.
EU to restrict travel from Southern Africa due to Covid variant
The European Commission is planning to activate emergency powers to ban air travel from Southern Africa in response to the new Covid variant, EC President Ursula Von der Leyen said on Friday.
Northern Bear reports robust first half amid industry disruptions
Building services provider Northern Bear reported first-half revenue of £30m in its interim results on Friday, up from £20. 1m year-on-year, as its adjusted operating profit improved to £1. 5m from £0. 5m.
Bitcoin loses $55,000 amid fears over new South African Covid-19 variant
Bitcoin and the cryptocurrency market succumb to the panic unleashed in the main financial markets on Friday, due to the alarm generated by a new variant of Covid-19 in South Africa, with numerous mutations. The queen of cryptocurrencies falls 6% and loses in intraday range $55,500 - support that has withstood until now the challenge during the recent correction from the historical highs at $69,000. The 'altcoins' are in the red and the total capitalization falls below 2.
Asia report: Markets fall amid fears of new Covid-19 variant
Equities in Asia fell across the board on Friday, amid concerns around a new, mutated variant of Covid-19 that has emerged in Africa.
Diageo launches latest tranche of share buyback
Drinks giant Diageo said it had begun the latest tranche of its £4. 5bn share buyback programme.
Quadrise Fuels International stock slumps ahead of AGM
Oil technology firm Quadrise Fuels International saw its shares tumble in early trading despite publishing a generally positive operational update ahead of its annual general meeting later in the day.
KEFI optimistic despite escalating tensions in Ethiopia
Gold exploration and development company KEFI updated the market on its operations on Friday, reporting that at its Ethiopia subsidiary Tulu Kapi Gold Mines (TKGM), it has completed its recent incident management and investigations and was now preparing for the launch of the Tulu Kapi Gold Project.
AfriTin Mining executes, draws down Standard Bank lending facility
AfriTin Mining announced on Friday that its lending facility with Standard Bank Namibia to fund the expansion of the Uis phase one processing plant, had now been executed.
Science Group trading remains positive following 'highly successful' Frontier acquisition
Consulting services group Science Group said on Friday that trading in all divisions had continued positively as the firm's "highly successful" acquisition of Frontier Smart Technologies made "a significant contribution".
Checkit raising £21m to accelerate strategy, strengthen offering
Software company Checkit announced on Friday that it was raising £21m through a placing, to accelerate its strategy and strengthen its product offering.
Power Metal signs three-month option deal with Kavango
Power Metal Resources announced on Friday that a three-month option has been signed with Kavango Resources, under which Kavango could acquire up to 51. 15% of Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration.
Parkmead revenue falls despite 'strong momentum' towards year-end
UK and Netherlands-focussed energy company Parkmead reported strong momentum from increased gas prices in its preliminary results on Friday, with revenue for the year totalling £3. 6m, down from £4. 1m year-on-year.
Novacyt gets UK approval for 'genesig' Covid-19 test
Clinical diagnostics specialist Novacyt announced on Friday thatots ‘genesig’ Covid-19 real-time PCR test has been approved in the UK.
Silence Therapeutics to proceed with AIM delisting next week
Silence Therapeutics updated the market on the planned cancellation of its shares on AIM on Friday, which it originally announced on 15 October.
ScS reports slowdown, shares tank
ScS shares tanked on Friday after the furniture and floor coverings retailer reported a slowdown in trading.
Kitwave FY pre-tax profits seen 'significantly ahead' of expectations
Wholesaler Kitwave Group said on Friday that it expects to report full-year pre-tax profits "significantly ahead" of expectations.