Market Report
Novavax agrees manufacturing deal with Endo for Covid vaccine
Novavax has signed an agreement for Endo International to manufacture its experimental Covid-19 vaccine, which is currently in multiple phase 2 clinical trials.
US DoJ asks judge to approve WeChat ban from app stores
The US Department of Justice asked a federal judge in San Francisco on Friday to allow the government to ban WeChat's app stores in the country.
London midday: Stocks turn lower as Covid concerns weigh
London equity markets had turned lower by midday on Friday, with travel-related stocks under the cosh again as worries about rising Covid-19 cases and further restrictions knocked sentiment.
Keras Resources makes 'constructive' progress in Togo
Mineral resource company Keras Resources announced on Friday that a number of “constructive meetings” had been conducted in Togo.
Europe midday: Shares slide into the red on Covid fears, UK borrowing
European shares moved into the red by lunchtime on Friday as the rising number of coronavirus cases across the continent and higher UK borrowing figures dampened sentiment.
Agronomics joins funding round for Dutch cultivated meat firm
Agronomics announced on Friday that it has participated in Mosa Meat’s series B financing, led by Blue Horizon Ventures, raising $55m in a first close of a larger series B financing round.
Mothercare full-year losses narrow
Beleaguered mother and child retailer Mothercare reported a decline in full-year revenue on Friday but a narrowing of its losses as it said it was looking forward to a "brighter and stable future".
Asia report: Markets mixed, Aussie banks soar on new credit rules
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Friday, with the property sector in Hong Kong under the cosh, while Australia’s financial plays rocketed.
Bahamas Petroleum confirms restart of Covid-postponed drilling
Caribbean and Atlantic margin-focussed oil and gas company Bahamas Petroleum has been notified by Stena Drilling that the ‘Stena IceMAX’ was the intended drill rig for the upcoming ‘Perseverance 1’ drilling campaign.
Digitalbox secures five-year £0.45m CBILS loan
Digital media company Digitalbox announced on Friday that, in a bid to strengthen its balance sheet and assist liquidity, it has secured a £0. 45m five-year term loan facility under the British Business Bank's Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS), from its bankers NatWest.
Marlowe acquires Morgan Fire in £5m deal
Specialist services group Marlowe has acquired Morgan Fire Protection for a net consideration of £5. 0m, it announced on Friday.
CEPS manages to swing to earnings after tough first half
Majority-stake investment company CEPS reported revenue of £6. 3m in its first half on Friday, down from £10. 17m year-on-year, as its gross profit slipped to £2. 58m from £3. 58m.
Camellia to pay special dividend after challenging first half
Agricultural and food company Camellia reported on an “exceptionally challenging” first half on Friday, with its revenue slipping to £114. 9m from £117. 3m year-on-year.
Europe open: Shares make lacklustre start as Covid surge worries investors
European shares were mixed in early Friday trade as nervous investors eyed the rising number of coronavirus cases across the continent, sparking fears of renewed lockdowns.
London open: Stocks edge higher as investors mull borrowing figures
London stocks edged higher in early trade on Friday as investors mulled over the latest UK borrowing figures, but the FTSE 100 was still on course for heavy weekly losses amid ongoing concerns about the coronavirus and its impact on the economy.
Aviva said to be in talks to sell French ops to Allianz-Athora consortium
A consortium of Germany’s Allianz and life insurer Athora Holdings is reportedly in talks to buy the French operations of London-listed insurer Aviva.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up; borrowing figures in focus
London stocks were set to rise at the open on Friday following heavy losses in the previous session.
Shaftesbury scraps final dividend, Pennon on track in first half
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 24 points higher on Friday, having closed down 1. 3% at 5,822. 78 on Thursday.
Friday newspaper round-up: Reverse commuters, hospitality industry, Google
Norfolk, Wiltshire and Cornwall have emerged as hotspots for properties on sale at £1m or more, as wealthy buyers hunt for larger homes near the sea or in the countryside. Traditionally, more expensive homes have taken far longer to sell than properties in the wider market, but the race for more space and leafier locations as more people work from home in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has led to a sales boom in the £1m price bracket, according to the UK’s biggest property website, Rightmove.
US close: Stocks finish higher amid job market concerns
Stocks on Wall Street finished slightly higher on Thursday, after weekly jobless claims figures that some economists said showed that the jobs market was set to stall in October.