Market Report
Carpetright announces £60m fundraising
Embattled retailer Carpetright announced plans for a £60m placing and open offer on Friday as part of its efforts to turnaround the business.
London open: FTSE ticks lower as investors pause for breath
London stocks ticked just a touch lower at the open on Friday as investors paused for breath following a record closing high in the previous session.
Watchdog kicks off investigation into Sainsbury-Asda merger
The UK competition watchdog has invited all "interested parties" in the proposed merger between Sainsbury's and Asda to submit views on the impact of the deal on competition around the country.
Hikma makes 'encouraging' start to year, shareholders told
Hikma Pharmaceuticals told shareholders its year had begun with an “encouraging start” on Friday, as they gathered for the annual general meeting, with the global Injectables business particularly said to be performing “well”.
Dunelm appoints Compass Group's Laura Carr as CFO
Homeware retailer Dunelm has appointed Laura Carr - currently group financial controller of Compass Group - as its new chief financial officer.
Lloyds offloads Irish mortgages to Barclays, first quarter earnings miss expectations at AstraZeneca
London open.
London pre-open: Stocks to edge lower after record closing high
London stocks were set to edge down at the open on Friday following a record closing high in the previous session, with investors likely to keep their eye out for any more headlines regarding US and Chinese trade talks.
Friday newspaper round-up: Low paid workers, gender inequality, PayPal, Liberty Global
A smaller proportion of UK workers are low paid than at any time since the early 1980s, due to above-inflation increases in the government’s national living wage. A report by the Resolution Foundation thinktank said the share of employees who were officially classified as low paid – earning less than around £8. 50 an hour – had fallen to 18%, the lowest since 1982. – Guardian.
US close: Markets close in the red as bond yields remain stubbornly high
US stocks finished in the red on Thursday, with Wall Street investors keeping a close eye on still-elevated bond yields, trade talks with China and a Dow being weighed down by the likes of Walmart and Cisco Systems.
Sector movers: Goldman boosts Cairn Energy, Tullow
News that Ocado had inked a partnership agreement with US chain Kroger light a fire under the market and the wider sector on Thursday, pushing Food & Drug Retailers to the top of the leaderboard.