Market Report
S&P reaffirms AA rating on UK, outlook clouded by Brexit
Standard&Poor's reaffirmed its rating on the United Kingdom's long-term sovereign debt but warned of the potential impact on the economy from the uncertainty around the Brexit negotiations and their eventual outcome.
FX round-up: Sterling nonchalant after UK Q1 growth disappoints
Sterling made steady gains on most key cross on Friday, appearing nonchalant in its reaction to disappointing UK economic growth data out mid-morning.
Europe close: Weak US, UK GDP weigh on shareson the continent
European stocks ended the day on a mixed note after weak readings on UK and US GDP dragged many indices into the red at the end of the month.
Laird off to solid start, but second half remains key
Electronic component maker Laird reported strong sales growth in the first quarter of 2017 after a difficult year.
London close: FTSE lower as UK, US growth in Q1 disappoints, sterling up
Stocks in London drifted to a lower close on Friday as a rise in sterling weighed on blue chips and both UK and US preliminary economic growth data disappointed investors on both sides of the Atlantic.
General Motors truck and SUV sales drive record earnings
Growth at General Motors accelerated past analyst forecasts with a record first-quarter set of earnings.
Sector movers: Industrial Metals and Mining stocks lead gains
Industrial metals and mining stocks paced gains in the last session of the week on reports of falling copper and zinc stockpiles in Shanghai, amid speculation demand for steel might be set to head higher.
US GDP growth slows more than expected in Q1 2017
Economic activity in the States slowed at the start of the year, weighed down by a slowdown in the pace of inventory accumulation, lower public spending and increased imports.
Commodities: Crude rises on reports of Russia compliance with Opec output limits
Crude-oil futures are higher on Friday as traders liked reports Russia has complied with Opec output limits, and also on hopes the cartel will extend its production cut pledge.
RBS and Lloyds Bank customers hit by online glitch on payday
Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group customers were prevented from accessing money in their accounts due to a technical glitch ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
US open: Weak Q1 GDP weighs on stocks, economists sanguine
Wall Street was set to limp into the weekend following a weak reading on first quarter economic growth, although the Nasdaq Composite was climbing further into record territory on the back of positive results from the biggest of the so-called FANG stocks.
Renishaw gains on speculation probes may be used in iPhone 8
Stock in Renishaw shot higher on speculation the company's products are likely to be used in Apple's iPhone 8.
Jupiter Energy makes 'solid progress' in first quarter
Jupiter Energy posted its quarterly update on its operations to 31 March on Friday, reporting “solid progress” had been made during the period with the Kazakh Regulatory Authorities in relation to the approval of the three year work programme and trial production licences for the Akkar East and West Zhetybai oilfields.
US consumer sentiment picks up less than expected in April
Consumer sentiment in the US picked up less than expected in April, according to figures from the University of Michigan.
Stellar Diamonds teams up with Octea Mining in Sierra Leone
West Africa-focussed diamond exploration and development company Stellar Diamonds announced on Friday that it signed a legally binding conditional tribute mining agreement and revenue share agreement with Octea Mining, in respect of the Tongo-Tonguma kimberlite diamond project in eastern Sierra Leone.
Results round-up
Royal Bank of Scotland broke into the black in the first quarter of 2017, the first quarterly profit since 2015 as income, costs and margins all improved.
Kennedy Wilson confirms quarterly dividend, new office leases
Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate announced it will pay an interim quarterly dividend of 12. 0p per share, while also reporting strong leasing momentum across key investments in Greater London and Dublin.
Controversial Garden Bridge project collapses on mayoral letter
London’s controversial and costly Garden Bridge project was down the gurgler on Friday, as the capital’s mayor Sadiq Khan formally withdrew support for the project.
Week ahead: US FOMC, jobs report, French elections in focus
The coming week is replete with top-tier economic data and potential risk events.
Chicago PMI unexpectedly improves in April
Economic activity in the Chicago area unexpectedly improved in April, according to data released on Friday.