Market Report
Trump 'not thrilled' about Fed rate hikes, threatens China again
President Donald Trump took the unusual step of explicitly criticised the Federal Reserve for raising interest rates and the potential impact on the US economy, as well threatening to hit China with a new wave of tariffs.
London midday: Stocks turn lower as Trump ramps up trade war rhetoric
London stocks took a turn for the worse by midday on Friday as it emerged that President Trump had ramped up his trade war rhetoric, although there was some good news in the form of improved UK public finances.
US pre-open: Stocks seen mostly lower as Trump says he's ready to hit all Chinese imports with tariffs
US futures pointed to a mostly weaker open on Wall Street on Friday as President Trump ramped up his trade war rhetoric, although Microsoft was set to boost the tech sector after solid earnings, while General Electric also looked poised to rise on the back of well-received earnings.
Asia report: Most markets higher as renminbi touches one-year low
Most markets in Asia ended a turbulent session in the green on Friday, as traders digested rare criticism of the Federal Reserve from a sitting US president, and renminbi briefly touched a one-year low.
UK government deficit falls to lowest since 2007
UK public finances continued to improve in June, with government borrowing falling to its lowest level since 2007 and potentially giving Chancellor Philip Hammond more room for manoeuvre in his autumn Budget.
Gardner Aerospace takeover of Northern Aerospace gets quick CMA clearance
The Competition and Markets Authority announced on Friday that it had decided, on the information currently available to it, not to refer the merger of Gardner Aerospace Holdings and Northern Aerospace to a Phase 2 investigation.
Record gets first performance fees in two years as inflows return
Specialist currency manager Record announced on Friday that its assets under management equivalents (AUME) as at 30 June totalled $61. 9bn, down from $62. 2bn at the end of March.
CLX Communications sees sales rise significantly in first half
CLX Communications issued its first half results for the six months through June on Friday, reporting a 36% improvement in net sales to SEK 1. 86bn, with organic growth in local currency reaching 17%.
Telia Lietuva profits rise as it rolls out new LTE television tech
Telia Lietuva issued its interim report for the six months ended 30 June on Friday, reporting a 1. 6% decline in total revenue to €93. 1m for the second quarter.
Roche clears FDA hurdle with Alzheimer's testing products
Roche announced on Friday that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted ‘Breakthrough Device Designation’ to ‘Elecsys beta-Amyloid (1-42) CSF and ‘Elecsys’ Phospho-Tau (181P) CSF.
Europe open: Stocks slip amid more earnings; Trump criticises Fed
European stocks were a little weaker in early trade on Friday as investors sifted through more corporate news and mulled over US President Trump's criticism of the Federal Reserve.
Sirius Minerals signs fertiliser offtake agreements with two Chinese firms
Sirius Minerals has signed binding take-or-pay supply agreements supply its POLY4 fertiliser to two Chinese companies on Friday.
London open: Resources stocks lift FTSE after Trump knocks Fed
London stocks unexpectedly tiptoed higher in early trade on Friday, ignoring a downbeat Wall Street finish overnight and a recuperating pound as comments from President Trump weighed on the dollar.
Easyjet still interested in Alitalia - report
EasyJet is still interested in Italy's Alitalia after Italy's transport minister said the airline will remain the national flag carrier but needed an operational partner, the Corriere della Sera reported on Friday.
Unilever completes first tranche of share buyback scheme, begins second
Unilever announced the successful completion of the first tranche of its share buyback programme on Friday, to buy shares with an aggregate market value equivalent of €3bn.
Trading little changed at HomeServe, claims payouts hit Beazley first-half profits
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 12 points lower on Friday, having closed up 0. 1% to 7,683. 97 on Thursday.
London pre-open: Shares to slip back as miners remain under pressure
London stocks are expected to slide back again on Friday, mirroring a downbeat Wall Street finish overnight and a mixed Asian session, while the pound recuperates.
Friday newspaper round-up: No-deal Brexit, Virgin Media, BBC, Poundworld collapse, crime, Novichok
Theresa May is to put the country on a no-deal Brexit footing this summer as she prepares a series of public warnings about the impact of leaving the European Union without agreement. Consumers and companies will be given detailed advice in weekly “bundles” from the start of next week on how to prepare for “a disorderly Brexit”, under government plans. - The Times.
Homeserve reveals little change in first quarter
Emergency home repairs group HomeServe said trading has been as expected during its traditionally quieter first quarter.