HSBC looking at possible Brazilian disposal
London open
City sources predict the FTSE 100 will open flat on Thursday's close of 7,013.47.
Stocks to watch
HSBC has said it is looking at a possible disposal of its Brazilian operations, though it has not yet made a decision. In a short statement on Friday morning, the global banking giant said: "HSBC confirms that it is exploring various strategic options for its operations in Brazil, including the potential sale thereof."
Costa coffee shops and Premier Inns hotels owner Whitbread has appointed Alison Brittain, current head of Lloyds's high street banking division, as its new chief executive. Career banker Brittain, who has been at Lloyds since 2011 after previous roles at Santander and Barclays, has switched into a top role in the leisure sector after Whitbread's current chief, Andy Harrison, announced his retirement last month.
London-listed utility company Severn Trent posted a 53.5% drop in full-year pre-tax profit, pointing to a fair value loss on financial instruments, largely due to lower expectations for future interest rates, and an exceptional tax credit in the previous year.
In the press
RBS is to ask shareholders to approve the cost of producing any documents and fees associated with the process of the government selling down its 79% stake, according to The Guardian.
The yen strengthened overnight after the Bank of Japan maintained monetary policy and hinted that there is no rush to add further stimulus, reports the Financial Times.
Tesco could claw back the £1.2m termination fee of former chief executive Philip Clarke is it is shown that there was gross misconduct during his tenure, according to The Telegraph.
US close
US stocks advanced on Thursday, as investors analysed a raft of economic data that showed the US economy continued to move forward, albeit at a subdued pace.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed virtually flat after gaining less than a point, while the S&P 500 closed at a record high of 2,130.84 after gaining 4.99 points and the Nasdaq rose 24 points.
Weekly jobless claims in the US increased a little more than expected, the Chicago Fed and Philly Fed indices missed forecasts, US existing-home sales unexpectedly declined, while the flash Markit US manufacturing PMI showed that growth had slowed.