THE MOST READ
U.S. non-farm payroll growth slows to just 175,000 in April
Hiring in the U.S. slowed by noticeably more than expected in April, alongside lower than expected wage growth.
London close: Stocks rise as US payrolls come in weaker
London markets closed positively on Friday, as investors digested slower-than-expected payrolls growth in the US, while Anglo American jumped amid anticipation of a potential bidding war for the mining giant.
Broker tips: Shell, Standard Chartered, Team 17, AJ Bell
RBC Capital Markets has raised its forecasts for Shell and kept an 'outperform' rating, saying the business was "firing on most cylinders" in the quarter.
Week ahead: Bank of England, euro area services PMIs in focus
Investors' focus over the coming week would shift back to the UK as rate-setters met to decide on monetary policy.
Tekmar sells Subsea Innovation in £1.9m deal
Tekmar Group announced the sale of Subsea Innovation (SIL) to Unique Group on Friday, through its subsidiary Unique System UK, for a total cash consideration of £1.9m.
Europe close: Stocks end mixed after 'Goldilocks' US jobs data
European shares ended the Friday session on a mixed note despite an April jobs report out of the US that saw traders price back in a second interest rate cut for 2024.
Accrol agrees to final offer of £130.8m from Navigator Paper
Tissue maker Accrol Group said on Friday that it has agreed to be taken over by Navigator Paper after it made an improved and final offer that values the company at £130.8m.
Shell's Q1 performance "encouraging", says RBC
RBC Capital Markets has raised its forecasts for Shell and kept an 'outperform' rating, saying the business was "firing on most cylinders" in the quarter.
Director dealings: Cohort CEO makes share sale
Cohort revealed on Friday that chief executive Andrew Thomis had disposed of 3,792 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed management consultant.
Trainline shares surge on profits, Labour plan to ditch app
Shares in online rail ticket platform Trainline surged on Friday as it reported better-than-expected revenue along with a sharp jump in annual sales and profits, driven by competition for passengers in Spain and Italy.
TGI Fridays owner Hostmore narrows FY losses
TGI Fridays owner Hostmore said on Friday that it had reduced its annual losses in a "transitional" year.
Asda refinances £3.2bn of debt
Asda said on Friday that it has successfully refinanced more than £3.2bn of its debt, pushing out the majority of its maturities into the next decade.
US open: Stocks sharply higher following NFP data
Wall Street stocks were firmly in the green early on Friday as market participants digested some key jobs data.
Duke Capital invests another £4m in BPVA Ireland
Duke Capital announced a follow-on investment of £4m into its existing capital partner, BPVA Ireland, on Friday.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week up 73.66 points, or 0.9%, closing at 8,213.49 on Friday.
London midday: Stocks extend gains as Anglo rallies; payrolls eyed
London stocks had extended gains by midday on Friday, with Anglo American leading the advance amid the prospect of a potential bidding war, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Polarean gets new polariser order from Cincinnati Children's
Polarean Imaging announced a new polariser order to replace the research polariser at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center on Friday.
Time Out opens its eighth market in Porto
Media and hospitality company Time Out Group announced the opening of Time Out Market Porto in Portugal on Friday.
Eurozone jobless rate unchanged for fifth straight month
The jobless rate in the eurozone held steady at a record low for the fifth straight month in March, according to figures released on Friday by Eurostat.
London open: Stocks rise ahead of non-farm payrolls
London stocks rose in early trade on Friday following solid sessions in Asia and on Wall Street, as investors eyed the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
Europa Oil to decline any North Sea licence offer
Europa Oil & Gas said in an update on Friday that it received communication from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) regarding its application for a licence as part of the 33rd UK Offshore Licensing Round.
Physiomics lowers forecasts amid contract delays
Therapeutics and medicine-focussed mathematical modelling and data science company Physiomics said in an update on Friday that, despite a robust pipeline of potential new business, it had experienced delays in signing several large contracts.
Prospex Energy reports progress at Selva Malvezzi
Prospex Energy updated the market on the Selva Malvezzi production concession in Italy on Friday, following a first-quarter activity report from Po Valley Energy (PVE).
FTSE 100 movers: Anglo rallies on Reuters report; IHG slumps
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 8,209.34 in afternoon trade on Friday.