Market Report
US pre-open: Flat start seen ahead of raft of data amid record inflow into stocks
Stocks are being called to start the session on a mixed to flat note ahead of a full slate of economic indicators due out before the opening bell and ahead of the quarterly expiry of derivatives on equities and indices later in the day.
Wetherspoon earnings rise as Tim Martin goes on another anti-EU tirade
Pub group JD Wetherspoon posted its preliminary half-year results on Friday, reporting a small 3. 6% rise in revenue before exceptional items to £830. 4m but "remains cautious" about the second half of the year.
Oxford BioDynamics presents ALS biomarker data at CNS Summit
AIM-quoted biotechnology firm Oxford BioDynamics has presented its latest biomarker data in a plenary talk at the sixth World CNS Summit in Boston, Massachusetts after it identified non-invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
Range Resources narrows losses as production levels rise
Exploration and production company Range Resources saw average production for its most recent trading half move forward 22% thanks to its ongoing waterflood programme.
Asia report: Markets end politically busy week mixed
Markets in Asia finished mixed on Friday, as traders were still dividing their attention between economic news, and a number of geopolitical and trade-related developments.
Salt Lake Potash losses widen but confidence undimmed
Aussie mineral exploration company Salt Lake Potash saw losses widen in its most recent trading year, but suggested it has enough cash to carry out its plans as it looks to develop the first salt-lake brine sulphate-of-potash operation Down Under.
Conviviality eyes potential equity fundraising during 'difficult period'
Alcohol wholesaler and distributor Conviviality may issue new shares to ease its financial strife, while tax authorities, creditors and customers were said to remain supportive.
Berkeley aggressively defends house-building rate, maintains profit guidance
Berkeley Group reported a resilient level of house sales in the past four months and while it was confident enough about the "compelling" fundamentals of the London and South East housing market to maintain profit and dividend guidance, had a fairly aggressive message for the government.
Friday newspaper round-up: Salisbury attack, asteroid, Corbyn, Nex, Snap, HSBC, Google
The West united against President Putin’s regime yesterday as America announced tougher sanctions against Moscow and joined France and Germany in an unequivocal condemnation of the Salisbury chemical attack. In an unusual joint statement, the leaders of France, Germany, the US and Britain said there was “no plausible alternative explanation” for the poisoning other than that it was the work of the Kremlin. - The Times.
London pre-open: FTSE still struggling for direction, Shell exits New Zealand
London stocks were expected to resume their decline on Friday after a ending a three-day losing streak in the previous session and a mixed day overnight on Wall Street.
US close: Markets mixed as traders weigh data with geopolitical, trade tensions
Wall Street finished on a mixed note on Thursday, as traders reacted to both upbeat data on US manufacturing, as well as simmering tensions on the trade front with China and on the geopolitical side of things with the Russian Federation.