Market Report
Legal & General says it still intends to pay dividend
Legal & General said on Friday that it will pay a final dividend for 2019 despite a warning from the Bank of England.
Europe close: Moderate losses despite news GDP already falling at 10% pace
Stocks across the Continent finished the week with moderate selling, despite the release of service sector surveys in Italy and Spain both of which printed at record lows, underscoring the sheer magnitude of the hit from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Italy Covid-19 infections continue to slow
The increase in the number of Italians infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to slow.
London close: Stocks finish weaker amid slew of dismal data
London stocks remained weaker by the close on Friday following the release of dismal UK services data, as investors digested a dismal US non-farm payrolls report amid ongoing concerns about the escalating coronavirus pandemic.
Director dealings: Norcros CEO's spouse ups stake
Norcros revealed on Friday that chief executive Nick Kelsall's wife Susan had acquired 200,000 ordinary shares in the London-listed construction materials firm.
Rockfire Resources still able to access Queensland site
Gold and base metal explorer Rockfire Resources updated the market on its operations in light of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on Friday, saying it had instigated various measures as a response to the current economic, environmental and financial climate.
RA International gets $15.6m task order from IAP
Remote location services provider RA International Group has signed a further task order with IAP Worldwide Service for the provision of supply chain services, it announced on Friday.
Intelligent Ultrasound rolls out lung ultrasound simulator at Nightingale Hospital
Ultrasound artificial intelligence software and simulation company Intelligent Ultrasound Group announced on Friday that its ‘BodyWorks’ point-of-care ultrasound simulator (PoCUS), with its newly released free Covid-19 lung ultrasound module, has been made available in the emergency simulation centre at the NHS Nightingale Hospital at London's ExCel centre.
Salt Lake Potash remains on track at Lake Way Project
Salt Lake Potash announced the completion of civil earthworks at the process plant and non-process infrastructure site at its Lake Way Project on Friday.
Anexo Group defers dividend decision, opening of Leeds branch
Credit hire and legal services provider Anexo Group updated the market on its final results, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, on Friday, saying that following Financial Conduct Authority and Financial Reporting Council guidance, its audited results for 2019 would be delayed.
FTSE 100 movers: Insurers under pressure; Hikma boosted by Citi note
London’s FTSE 100 was down 1% at 5,427. 69 in afternoon trade on Friday following the US non-farm payrolls report.
US open: Stocks open lower following jobs data
Wall Street stocks opened lower on Friday after data revealed that non-farm payrolls had collapsed throughout March.
Iomart Group ends year well as it faces coronavirus unknowns
Cloud computing company Iomart Group updated the market on its trading for the year ended 31 March, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on Friday, saying it expects to deliver another year of revenue growth, “strong” profitability and cash generation, in line with expectations.
FTSE 250 movers: Hammerson slumps; transport stocks rally on govt help
London’s FTSE 250 was down 1. 1% at 14,266. 59 in afternoon trade on Friday as investors mulled the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Brent futures jump again after report Russian firms ready to cut
Crude oil futures extended the previous day's rally following reports that Russian oil producers were prepared to reduce their own output to help stem the rout in prices.
US non-farm payrolls sink in March, unemployment soars
The US jobs market deteriorated massively in March as the Covid-19 pandemic began sweeping across the country and some state authorities moved to a lockdown.
Friday broker round-up
National Grid: Deutsche Bank downgrades to hold with a target price of 910p.
TBC Bank creates extra loan buffer amid Covid crisis
TBC Bank Group said on Friday that the measures it had implemented in the last three weeks had allowed it to alter its day-to-day operations, in a bid to adapt to the current “unprecedented” operating environment, while maintaining the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff and customers.
US pre-open: Futures point to losses ahead of nonfarm payrolls data
US futures had stocks opening lower on Friday ahead of this week's nonfarm payrolls report.
Tullow Oil cuts capex, has $700m liquidity
Tullow Oil said on Friday that it has $700m of liquidity and has identified further capex savings amid a "challenging external environment".