Market Report
London midday: Stocks push higher; Ultra Electronics surges on Cobham bid
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Friday as investors mulled the latest UK retail sales and business activity figures.
Cora Gold upbeat on eighth set of drill results from Sanankoro
West Africa-focussed Cora Gold announced the eighth set of drill results from its largest ever drilling campaign at the Sanankoro Gold Project in southern Mali on Friday.
Ted Baker to move to new Fitzrovia HQ, save on rent
Fashion brand Ted Baker said on Friday that it has secured a new global HQ at 101 on Cleveland in the heart of Fitzrovia, London, and that the move will result in cost savings.
Asia report: Markets mixed as Didi leads Chinese tech plays lower
Stock markets in Asia were mixed as they closed on Friday, with technology plays leading the losses in Greater China, as regulatory concerns reemerged from Beijing.
Intel's Q3 guidance disappoints, shares slip
Semiconductor giant Intel posted better-than-expected quarterly profits overnight, but guidance for the following quarter fell short of forecasts.
UK business activity growth slows in July
Business activity growth in the UK slowed in July, with private sector growth hitting a four-month low as shortages of staff and materials held back the recovery, according to a flash survey released on Friday.
Prime People swings to losses in pandemic year
Specialist recruitment company Prime People reported revenue of £17. 8m in its final results on Friday, down from £23. 99m year-on-year, as its net fee income slipped to £10. 93m from £15. 52m.
Oncimmune inks research deal with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Immunodiagnostics group Oncimmune has signed an autoantibody profiling contract with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, based in Boston, Massachusetts, it announced on Friday.
Insig AI enters binding deal with investment manager CarVal
Data science and machine learning technology company Insig AI announced on Friday that alternative investment manager CarVal Investors has entered into binding heads of terms with its wholly-owned subsidiary Insig AI Corporation, for Insig AI to combine its environmental, social and governance (ESG) tools with CarVal's proprietary ESG risk scoring methodology.
Simec Atlantis shares surge as receivers resign from major shareholder
Sustainable energy generator Simec Atlantis Energy updated the market on the status of its major shareholder, Simec UK Energy, which holds around 41% of the company, and over which receivers were appointed in May/.
Fusion Antibodies receives first research milestone payment
Preclinical antibody discovery, engineering and supply company Fusion Antibodies has achieved its first research milestone payment as part of its ongoing collaboration with a major client, it announced on Friday.
Europe open: Corporate news, ECB pledge help maintain share rally
European shares started the final session of the week higher, boosted by more upbeat corporate news and the European Central Bank promise to continue stimulus.
Beazley swings back to profit in first half
Beazley reported a first-half profit before tax of $167. 3m (£121. 81m) on Friday, swinging from a loss before tax of $13. 8m in the first half of the prior year.
Hotel Chocolat raises £40m as it aims to become 'digital-led' brand
Premium chocolatier Hotel Chocolat said on Friday that it has raised £40m in a share placing as it looks to become a "digital-led" chocolate brand.
London open: Stocks rise as investors digest retail sales
London stocks rose in early trade on Friday as investors mulled the latest UK retail sales data.
UK retail sales rise in June, boosted by Euros
UK retail sales rose between May and June, helped along by the Euros, according to figures released on Friday by the Office for National Statistics.
Vodafone reports better-than-expected revenue, Beazley swings to profit
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 35 points higher on Friday, having closed down 0. 43% at 6,968. 30 on Thursday.
London pre-open: Stocks seen up as investors mull retail sales
London stocks were set to rise at the open on Friday as investors mull the latest UK retail sales data.
Friday newspaper round-up: Self-isolation, Blackstone, Starling
Workers from 16 key sectors including health, transport and energy will not have to isolate after being pinged by the NHS Covid app, as it was revealed that more than 600,000 people in England and Wales were sent self-isolation alerts last week The raft of changes, after days of frantic talks with industry leaders, came amid open Conservative revolt over the so-called “pingdemic” with the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt warning the government that it was facing a crisis of public trust in the system.
US close: Stocks close higher despite surprise uptick in jobless claims
Wall Street stocks closed higher on Thursday despite a surprise increase in weekly jobless claims.