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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.
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”.
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.
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.
Proteome Sciences secures contract win with US biopharmaceutical firm
Contract proteomics service Proteome Sciences has secured a contract win from a US biopharmaceutical company using the company's mass spectrometry services for the analysis of samples for an on-going clinical trial.
Jefferies hikes Pensionbee target, expects rally to continue
Jefferies has hiked its target price for Pensionbee by more than 60% after first-quarter results came in ahead of expectations, saying the pension provider has a large market opportunity to expand in the US.
Asia report: Most markets rise as Japan maintains interest rates
Stock markets in the Asia-Pacific region closed mostly higher on Friday, with the yen in focus after the Bank of Japan decided to maintain interest rates.
Loungers FY24 underlying earnings seen ahead of market expectations
Bar and restaurant operator Loungers said on Friday that it had seen continued strong like-for-like sales growth in the 53 weeks ended 21 April and now expects full-year underlying earnings to come in ahead of expectations.
TotalEnergies sees income drop on weaker gas prices
French energy major TotalEnergies reported a slide in quarterly income on Friday, after gas prices softened.
Shore Capital rates NatWest a 'buy', but upside limited
Shore Capital has reiterated its 'buy' rating on UK banking group 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.
London open: Banking and mining stocks lift FTSE 100 to new heights
London's FTSE 100 raced ahead of the 8,100 level on Friday morning, helped by strong results from NatWest and decent gains in the mining sector provided a lift.
Europe open: Shares gain on US tech results; Anglo rebuffs BHP
European shares opened 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”.
Sainsbury's kicks off £200m share buyback programme
Sainsbury’s kicked off its share buyback programme on Friday, having announced it on 7 February, aiming to repurchase up to £200m of shares by the end of the current financial year.
Record reports solid rise in assets under management
Specialist currency and asset manager Record said in a trading update on Friday that in the 2024 financial year, its assets under management equivalent (AUME) jumped 17% to $102. 2bn.