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Week ahead: China, US CPI in the spotlight
The focus over the coming week will shift squarely back onto China, with a raft of economic indicators on the Asian giant set for release, while closer to home the UK will on Tuesday begin to publish GDP on a monthly basis.
US June jobs report fairly strong, despite dip in wages
Unemployment rose unexpectedly in June, but only because more Americans were tempted to come out and look for a job, a positive sign perhaps for those hoping to see signs of a so-called 'supply-side' boost to the economy from the White House's tax cuts.
Europe close: US jobs data helps reassure skittish investors
Stockmarkets across the Continent finished slightly higher on Friday even after Beijing said it had begun retaliating for Washington's decision overnight to impose tariffs on its exports with its own levies, with investors apparently drawing comfort from a relatively solid US jobs report for the month of June.
London close: Stocks track gains on Wall Street after jobs report, despite tariff news
London stocks recovered from early selling after reciprocal trade sanctions between the US and China kicked-in overnight, helped by a better-than-expected reading on the state of the US jobs market in June.
Barnier 'ready to adapt' Brexit offer if Theresa May switches up her red lines
Brussels' has indicated its willingness to switch up its Brexit position if Theresa May was prepared to soften her negotiating red lines.
World Cup preview: Sweden v England, Russia v Croatia
Saturday brings World Cup action from the so-called ‘easy side of the draw’ with Gareth Southgate’s England side looking to reach the competition’s semi-final stage for the first time in 28 years.
Motor insurers Direct Line and Esure in line of fire for Barclays
Amid a continued soft market in UK motor insurance, with further pricing declines in April-May, Barclays on Friday downgraded Direct Line to ‘equal weight’ from ‘underweight’ and cut its target price to 357p from 420p, while Esure was also downgraded.
Sector movers: Utilities gain as US wage miss hits Treasury yields
London stocks ended up almost flat on Friday, with utiliites on the up, while non-life insurers and food producers dragged.
FTSE 250 movers: Inmarsat falls after rejecting Echostar; Stobart up despite board battle
Shares in Inmarsat led the FTSE 250 fallers as US satellite rival EchoStar Corporation revealed that the UK company had earlier this week rejected a 532p-per share takeover offer. EchoStar said that it was continuing talks to try and agree a deal.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners dip, ITV tops list
Miners dragged London's FTSE 100 index lower on Friday but the worst of its losses were being erased by late afternoon.
Inmarsat suitor EchoStar walks away
Satellite company Inmarsat earlier this week rejected a 532p-per share takeover offer from US rival EchoStar Corporation, which said late on Friday that it had no intention to make an offer.
Broker tips: Playtech, SIG
Analysts at Berenberg revisited Playtech's numbers on Friday, making substantial amendments to account for the firm's recent acquisition of Snaitech, concluded at the end of June and the group's latest profit warning issued on 2 July, flagging the increased competition in the Asian market.
Stobart CFO quits ahead of crunch AGM vote
Infrastructure and support services group Stobart said chief financial officer Richard Laycock was quitting ahead of a crucial AGM vote on Friday to determine the company's future.
US pre-open: Futures mixed as trade tariffs kick-in, jobs report pleases
Stocks are set for a mixed start, on the back of what traders are terming a 'goldilocks' US jobs report for the month of June, although the hit to sentiment from the launch of US trade tariffs against China, overnight, is still acting as a drag.
Over 22,000 minimum wage workers to receive back-pay
Close to 240 UK firms including the Odeon cinema chain, retailer Card Factory and 10 sports clubs have been named and shamed on Friday after they underpaid a record number of 22,400 minimum wage employees.
Canaccord not ready to give SIG the 'benefit of the doubt'
Analysts at Canaccord Genuity said on Friday that the investment case for SIG continued to hinge on the success of its turnaround strategy to improve profitability and returns even while reducing leverage.
Iran seeks more from world leaders to save nuclear deal
Iran warned European foreign ministers gathering in Vienna that it would not be enough to counteract US sanctions to save the 2015 nuclear deal.
Director dealings: Playtech directors up stake following profit warning
Moran Weizer, chief executive of sports betting software group Playtech, purchased 55,000 ordinary shares in the firm on Friday.
US open: Mixed trading on the Street following new Chinese tariffs
Trading on Wall Street kicked-off on a positive note despite a hit to sentiment from the launch of US trade tariffs against China overnight and a lacklustre jobs report.