Market Pulse
Premier African Mining returns insufficient ore grades for planned profitability
Premier African Minerals announced on Friday that although throughput at its RHA Tungsten plant during the latter part of December had exceeded its target of 6,000 tonnes in aggregate ore feed, the ore processed had predominantly been from on-strike development at a diluted grade and insufficient to achieve planned profitable production.
North Korea agrees to talks after the South and US postpone military drills
North Korea has agreed to hold the first official talks in more than two years with its neighbour to the South after Seoul and Washington postponed their annual large-scale military exercises until after the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Canaccord upgrades William Hill to 'buy' from 'hold'
Canaccord Genuity upgraded William Hill to 'buy' from 'hold' and lifted the price target to 350p from 285p on Friday, pointing to better prospects ahead for its "long-suffering shareholders".
Europe midday: Stocks continue to race ahead before US jobs report
Investors are continuing to push equities higher, led by gains in cyclicals such as auto stocks ahead of the release of the December US jobs report.
US pre-open: Stocks on course for fresh records ahead of payrolls report
US futures pointed to more records on Wall Street on Friday as market participants looked to the release of the non-farm payrolls report.
London midday: FTSE hits fresh high as investors eye payrolls report
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Friday, with the top-flight index hitting fresh highs as investors eyed the latest non-farm payrolls report out of the US.
Trump proposes massive expansion of offshore drilling
The Trump administration is planning a massive expansion of offshore drilling by opening up protected areas in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Regal Petroleum gushes as production rates soar
Oil and gas producer Regal Petroleum saw the aggregate rate of production at its three Ukrainian fields jump almost 65% over the 2017 calendar year.
Mporium finalises commercial services agreement with GroupM UK
Mobile technology firm mporium has inked a commercial agreement with British media investment management company GroupM UK to deliver its Impact technology services to a number of the latter's agencies.
Atlantis Resources offloads Canadian joint-venture to partner
AIM-listed tidal power group Atlantis Resources has agreed to sell its stake in its Canadian joint venture in the Bay of Fundy, Nova Scotia to its partner DP Energy.
Crawshaw sales given boost by strong festive showing
Meat-focused retail store business Crawshaw Group saw continued, albeit slight, progress towards the group's strategy of strengthening its position as the UK's "leading value butcher" over the 15 week period leading to 24 December.
FCA appoints Charles Randell as new chair
Former lawyer and Bank of England adviser Charles Randell has been appointed as the new chair of the Financial Conduct Authority for a five-year term.
Cairn Homes FY revenues jump amid positive market conditions
Irish housebuilder Cairn Homes reported a big jump in full-year revenues on Friday amid positive market conditions.
Keller to benefit from US tax changes, in talks over US acquisition
Geotechnical solutions specialist Keller announced on Friday that it is in talks to buy US-based geotechnical contracting company Moretrench, as it said US tax changes will benefit its future after tax earnings.
Ultra Electronics hit by report of UK defence review delay
Shares in UK defence company Ultra Electronics slumped on Friday following a report that the UK defence review has been delayed.
London open: Stocks nudge up as investors await non-farm payrolls
London stocks nudged a touch higher in early trade on Friday as investors eyed the latest non-farm payrolls report out of the US, with little in the way of UK corporate or economic news flow to move markets.
Wressle wrestle continues as planning inspectors reject Egdon's appeal
UK oil explorer Egdon Resources' appeal over two refused planning applications to develop the Wressle oil discovery has been rejected by planning inspectors, also hitting fellow AIM-listed backers of the project, Europa Oil & Gas, Union Jack Oil and Upland Resources.
Clarkson expects full year results in line with expectations
Shipping broker Clarkson said it expected full year results for 2017 to be in line with current expectations.
Friday newspaper round-up: Investment banks, Colman's, diesel cars
Investment banks earned a record of nearly $104bn (£76. 7bn) in fees globally last year from work advising companies on more than $3. 5tn worth of takeovers and mergers. Globally, banks billed their clients for $103. 9bn worth of fees for their work, a 16% increase on 2016 and the highest yearly total since Thomson Reuters began collating data in 2000. – Guardian.
London pre-open: Stocks seen steady ahead of payrolls
London stocks were set for a muted open on Friday as investors eyed the latest non-farm payrolls report out of the US, with little in the way of UK corporate or economic news flow to move markets.