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Grafton expects to pip analyst forecasts for full year
Even though the rate of growth slow in the last two months of the year, builders merchant Grafton Group expects adjusted profits to be slightly ahead of the top end of analyst expectations.
Friday newspaper round-up: Brexit, SME lending, Brighton Pier
Up to 4,000 civil servants are being asked to abandon their day jobs to work on no-deal Brexit preparations under plans being rolled out across Whitehall. Officials in education, justice and welfare are among staff in five government departments being asked to take up new roles within weeks. - The Times.
Hoskins out, John Worth in as Hastings finance chief
Hastings Group announced on Friday that Richard Hoskins, who had been with the business since April 2015, was retiring from his position as group chief financial officer.
Flybe agrees to consortium takeover, Ei Group offloads 370 properties
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 32 points higher on Friday, having closed up 0. 52% at 6,942. 97 on Thursday.
London pre-open: Stocks to edge up ahead of data slew
London stocks were set to edge higher at the open on Friday, taking their cue from an upbeat session on Wall Street as investors eye a raft of UK data releases.
Flybe bought by Virgin, Stobart consortium for £2.2m
British regional airline Flybe Group on Friday agreed a 1p-a-share takeover by a consortium made up of Virgin Atlantic, Stobart Group and Cyrus Capital Partners valuing the company at £2. 2m.
US close: Markets finish higher despite lingering shutdown concerns
Wall Street trading reversed earlier losses to finish in positive territory on Thursday, amid concerns about the ongoing government shutdown and after weaker-than-forecast Chinese inflation data.