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US close: Nasdaq jumps 2% as tech stocks surge
US stocks bounced back strongly on Friday with the Nasdaq surging more than 2% with the Magnificent Seven tech giants providing a huge boost following strong results from Microsoft and Alphabet.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week up 243. 98 points, or 3. 09%, closing at 8,139. 83 on Friday.
London close: Stocks buoyed by banking, mining positivity
London's equity markets closed positively on Friday, buoyed by gains in the banking sector following better-than-expected results from NatWest.
Broker tips: NatWest, Pensionbee, Greggs
Shore Capital reiterated its 'buy' rating on bank NatWest after a forecast-beating first quarter but said it sees the least amount of upside potential in the stock compared with the wider banking sector.
FTSE 100 movers: NatWest, Anglo up; Convatec falls on Peel Hunt downgrade
FTSE 100 (UKX) 8,132. 15 0. 66%.
US open: Stocks higher following March PCE reading
Wall Street stocks were in the green early on Friday as market participants digested key inflation data.
London midday: NatWest tops risers as Footsie hits fourth record high of the week
Decent gains in the banking sector were providing a lift to UK equity markets on Friday following better-than-expected results from NatWest, sending the FTSE 100 to yet another all-time high.
Agronomics investee Solar Foods raises EUR 8m
Cellular agriculture investor Agronomics announced on Friday that its portfolio company Solar Foods had raised an additional €8m through Finnish investment organiser Springvest.
FTSE 250 movers: Darktrace surges on Thoma Bravo bid; WH Smith down again
FTSE 250 (MCX) 19,788. 28 0. 95% .
US PCE rises to 2.7% in March, ahead of estimates
The US personal consumption expenditure rate rose to 2. 7% in March, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, up from 2. 5% in February and higher than the 2. 6% expected by economists, suggesting that inflationary headwinds were still building.
Tekcapital's Innovative Eyewear enters deal with New Look Vision
Intellectual property investor Tekcapital announced on Friday that its investee Innovative Eyewear, the developer of ChatGPT-enabled smart eyewear under various brands, was launching its ‘Lucyd’ smart frames in 10 selected New Look Vision Group stores across Quebec and at New Look’s online store.
Aukett Swanke flags delays to some contracts
Smart buildings, architectural and design services specialist Aukett Swanke said in an update on Friday that, as outlined in its recent financial statements, it maintained a robust pipeline of interest, although a number of projects had been pushed back.
Berenberg hikes target price on Greggs
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on bakery chain Greggs from 3,550. 0p to 3,990. 0p on Friday as it noted that customer appeal had broadened as its market share was expanding.
US pre-open: Futures higher ahead of Friday's PCE reading
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the bell on Friday as market participants looked ahead to some key inflation data later in the session.
Anglo American rejects £31bn BHP offer as 'unattractive' for investors
Anglo American on Friday rejected an "opportunistic" £31bn bid from rival miner BHP, saying it significantly undervalued the company.
Europe midday: Shares hold gains at end of busy week; FTSE hits new heights
European shares were higher on Friday as strong earnings from tech giants Google and Microsoft overnight boosted sentiment, while Anglo American rebuffed BHP’s mega £31bn offer as “opportunistic”.
Brickability Q4 trading impacted by 'lower levels of demand'
Construction materials distributor Brickability said on Friday that its Q4 trading performance continued to reflect "lower levels of demand" for bricks and associated building products seen throughout the first nine months of the year.
Thousands of UK firms fighting for survival - Begbies Traynor
More than half a million UK business are fighting for survival, according to an industry research published on Friday, weighed down by the weak economy.
Thruvision FY24 adjusted underlying losses widen
Security technology business Thruvision said on Friday that adjusted underlying losses had widened in FY24 as revenues fell.
Shares in CVC jump on market debut
Shares in CVC Capital Partners sparked on Friday, as trading got underway in the European private equity firm.