Market Report
Great Portland decision on final dividend to be made in May
Great Portland Estates said on Friday that it remains in a strong financial position, that it has collected 63% of its March rent and that a decision on the final dividend will be made once the year end results are finalised in May.
London pre-open: Stocks seen lower ahead of payrolls
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Friday as investors continued to fret about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and looked ahead to the release of the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Friday newspaper round-up: Arcadia, retailers, P&O Ferries
The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has banned banks from requesting personal guarantees for emergency loans to small businesses amid growing government concern that lenders have been slow in meeting demands for help. With the rapid increase in the number of universal credit claims suggesting many small companies have already collapsed since the economy was locked down, Sunak combined a new package of support for business with a warning to banks that they had to move more quickly.
US close: Equities rise even after miserable jobless claims
Wall Street equities finished in positive territory on Thursday, as oil prices rebounded and investors thumbed through a miserable jobless claims report.