Market Report
US pre-open: Stocks set to post full week of gains
US futures pointed to a positive open on Wall Street on Friday, which would round off a full week of gains, as investors eyed a reading on consumer sentiment.
Bailey out, Lamb in as finance chief at Midwich
Specialist audio visual and document solutions distributor Midwich announced on Friday that, as part of a review of succession plans for the role of group finance director, Anthony ‘Tony’ Bailey would step down from that role and from the board on 30 June.
Thalassa seeking capital for Autonomous Robotics as it buys back more shares
Thalassa updated the market on its trading on Friday, reporting that its subsidiary Autonomous Robotics’ prototype autonomous underwater vehicle had successfully concluded tethered underwater tests, and would be undergoing autonomous underwater tests in the near future.
Lionsgold shares suspended as company undergoes 'fundamental change'
Lionsgold’s ordinary shares were suspended from trading with effect from 0730 BST on Friday, the company has confirmed.
Bowleven confirms arrival of Topaz-Driller rig in Cameroon
Africa-focussed oil and gas exploration group Bowleven announced the arrival of the Topaz-Driller rig in to Cameroon waters on Friday.
Nostra Terra starts third Permian Basin well
Oil and gas exploration and production company Nostra Terra announced the start of drilling of its third well in the Permian Basin, in Mitchell County, Texas on Friday.
Crawshaw appoints new CEO and CFO
AIM-listed value butcher Crawshaw announced the appointment of a new chief executive and new chief financial officer on Friday.
Npower to hike energy bills for one million customers
Big six energy retailer npower announced a major price increase on Friday, taking its typical dual fuel annual energy bill up by an average of 5. 3% or £64, across all payment types.
BoE's Broadbent denies mixed signals on interest rates
Bank of England deputy governor Ben Broadbent on Friday denied that mixed messages were being given on interest rates after the central bank seemed to swing back to a more dovish stance.
Totally's Vocare has NHS contract renewed
AIM-listed Totally, which provides a range of out-of-hospital services to the healthcare sector, said on Friday that its wholly-owned subsidiary Vocare has renewed a contract with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust worth around £1. 2m a year.
Board cheers 'outstanding year' at 3i Infrastructure
3i Infrastructure announced 28. 6% total return on its operating net asset value for the year ended 31 March in its final results on Friday, as well as a 10% increase in the target dividend for the 2019 financial year to 8. 65p per share.
Carpetright secures £15m loan from shareholder
Ahead of its planned £60m equity placing next week, embattled retailer Carpetright said on Friday that it has agreed a £15m unsecured loan from its biggest shareholder, Meditor.
London open: Stocks steady but ZPG zooms higher on takeover
London stocks were flat in early trade on Friday despite positive cues from the US and Asia, with little in the way of market-moving news, although ZPG was a bright spot after the Zoopla owner agreed to be bought by US private equity firm Silver Lake.
AstraZeneca's respiratory biologic drug fails COPD trial
AstraZeneca's late-stage Galathea trial for its first respiratory biologic drug failed to meet its primary goal in treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
London pre-open: Stocks to track Wall Street higher
London stocks were set to rise at the open on Friday, taking their cue from a positive session on Wall Street.
Paragon Banking appoints Fiona Clutterbuck as chairman
Paragon Banking Group said on Friday that it has appointed senior independent director Fiona Clutterbuck as its new chairman with effect from 10 May, succeeding Bob Dench.
Astra trial fails, BBA flying in-line
London open The FTSE 100 was being called seven points lower on Friday after finishing the previous session at just over 7,700.
Friday newspaper round-up: Gender gap, high streets, Aviva, oil prices
Hundreds of companies are being pursued by Britain’s equality watchdog after failing to file gender pay gap data on time. This year, for the first time, all companies and public bodies with more than 250 employees were legally obliged to publish the gap between the average amount paid to a man in their business compared with the average for a woman. The data compares men in all roles with women in all roles, rather than those in similar jobs, in a bid to highlight the prevalence of men in high-paid and management roles and to encourage companies to make changes.
US close: Markets higher amid solid employment data
Wall Street finished in the green on Thursday, as investors thumbed through weaker-than-expected inflation data and jobless claims figures that continued to indicate the US labour market was in good health.