Market Pulse
Russia hikes rates unexpectedly due to currency weakness, risk of further sanctions
Central Bank of Russia surprised financial markets on Friday, hiking its main interest rate in response to the recent overshoot of its inflation target on the back of weakness in the rouble and food price inflation, although Governor Elvira Nabiullina had reportedly flagged that possibility a week beforehand.
Europe close: Stocks carried higher by positive sentiment on Wall Street
Stocks on the Continent finished higher going into the weekend, tracking fresh gains on Wall Street, where some of the main stockmarket gauges had notched-up fresh all-time highs just the day before.
Sector movers: Miners and tobacco spark higher
Miners racked up strong gains on Friday, with cigarette companies sparking higher too.
Luxury goods momentum 'may fade', Credit Suisse downgrades Burberry
Credit Suisse downgraded Burberry to 'neutral' from 'outperform' on Friday and cut it target price to 2,100p from 2,200p as the luxury retailer is "lacking near-term catalysts" and signs the momentum in luxury goods demand may fade.
London close: Stocks jump as risk of 'no-deal' rises, sinking the pound
London's top-flight index jumped on Friday as sterling slid on jitters about a no-deal Brexit, while a strong performance from the mining sector also provided a boost.
China demands US remove 'unjustifiable' sanction for Russian weapons purchase
China has demanded that the US remove sanctions placed on a defence agency and its director for purchasing Russian weapons.
US open: Small gains at the open following record highs in previous session
Friday trading on Wall Street kicked-off with some small gains following a record session the day before in which both the Dow and the S&P rose to fresh highs on the back of a strong showing from the technology sector.
Tesla loses another executive as supply management chief resigns
Tesla has lost another executive as the vice president of global supply management Liam O’Connor resigned on Friday, Bloomberg reported.
Broker tips: Paragon Banking, BBA Aviation
RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage of Paragon Banking Group at 'sector perform' with a 500p price target on Friday, noting that buy-to-let growth is still strong and Paragon is the only lender with an expanding margin.
Regal Petroleum profits rocket as production kicks up a gear
Oil and gas exploration and production group Regal Petroleum saw its shares rise on Friday as its first-half profits shot up on the back of a jump in revenue.
Liberum reiterates 'buy' rating on BBA, says business concerns are 'overdone'
Analysts at Liberum believe fears surrounding BBA Aviation's US business jet flying activity are overdone, noting that recent soft data points were "within the normal range" of monthly fluctuation.
Director dealings: Scapa president lowers stake
Scapa's healthcare president Joseph Davin disposed of 83,358 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed firm on Friday.
Georgia Healthcare taps William Huyett to take over as chairman
Georgia Healthcare elevated non-executive director William Huyett to the role of chairman on Friday.
Uber in talks to take over Deliveroo, hitting Just Eat
Uber is in early-stage talk to buy Deliveroo to boost its food delivery services, news that sent Just Eat shares sagging to a one-year low.
OKYO adds experienced research director to team
Biotechnology company OKYO Pharma announced the appointment of Raj Patil as its senior director of research and development on Friday.
Xeros Technology signs 10-year deal with Le Farc
Water saving technologies developer Xeros Technology Group has signed a 10-year contract with Le Farc, to convert its re-tanning operations in León, Mexico to use Xeros' patented polymer technology, it announced on Friday.
Thalassa Holdings reourchases another 50,000 shares
Thalassa Holdings announced on Friday that, on Thursday, it purchased 50,000 of its shares at a price of 94p each.
FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally but Just Eat slumps on Uber/Deliveroo reports
London's FTSE 100 was up 1. 6% to 7,484. 12 in afternoon trade on Friday as the pound took a tumble after PM Theresa May said Brexit talks with the EU have hit an "impasse".
Osirium wins cyber-security contract with major British retailer
Cybersecurity software group Osirium Technologies has inked a contract with an unnamed major British retailer.
Borrowing rises but still offers ample room for Chancellor
UK government borrowing was higher than expected last month, official figures have showed, but is sill on course to allow the Chancellor plenty of leg room to increase spending in his coming Budget.