London close: Stocks flat as oil prices, bond yields rise
UK stocks finished flat on Friday as rising oil prices and bond yields deterred investors from picking up bargains following recent losses, with markets increasingly sceptical that the conflict across the Persian Gulf will be resolved any time soon.
Metlen Energy shares fall after annual results delayed
Shares in Metlen Energy & Metals' fell sharply on Friday after the company said its auditors asked for the company's 2025 results be delayed.
Europe close: Stocks slip despite Trump delaying planned Iran strikes
European equity markets closed lower on Friday as investors reacted cautiously to US president Donald Trump’s decision to delay a planned strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure, a move that failed to reassure markets amid continued geopolitical uncertainty.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week up 48. 87 points, or 0. 49%, closing at 9,967. 35 on Friday.
Asda warns of fuel shortages as petrol prices continue to climb
UK supermarket group Asda was warned that some of its petrol pumps across the country are facing temporary fuel shortages due to supply restrictions resulting from the conflict across the Persian Gulf.
Week ahead: Shortened trading week sees release of UK GDP, non-farm payrolls
Next week looks set to be much quieter as UK markets head into the long Easter weekend.
Bank of America upgrades Berkeley to 'buy' despite mortgage rate worries
Bank of America has slashed its estimates across the UK housebuilding sector as interest-rate cut projections have been pushed back, but raised its recommendation for Berkeley from 'neutral' to 'buy'.
FTSE 100 movers: AstraZeneca jumps on COPD drug news; Metlen slumps
London’s FTSE 100 was flat at 9,976. 77 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Broker tips: Future, Mony Group, BT, Enquest, Capita
Media group Future tanked on Friday after Jefferies downgraded the shares to 'hold' from 'buy' saying it expects dual structural headwinds from Agentic AI and New Media to cloud the company’s near-term prospects.
US cybersecurity stocks slide on leaked details of new Anthropic AI model
US cybersecurity stocks tumbled on Friday after a data leak exposed draft documents related to a new AI model being tested by Anthropic.
US open: Stocks lower as Middle East uncertainty continues to weigh
Major indices were in the red at the opening bell on Friday after Donald Trump extended his deadline to attack Iran's energy infrastructure.
Prosus reportedly mulling Delivery Hero stake sale to Aspex
Dutch technology investor Prosus is reportedly considering selling around a 10% stake in Germany's Delivery Hero to Hong Kong-based Aspex Management.
Carnival shares drop on $500m hit from higher fuel prices
Shares in cruise operator Carnival dropped sharply on Friday afternoon as record first-quarter results and a new share buyback were overshadowed by a cut to full-year profit guidance owing to higher fuel costs.
Director dealings: Everyman Media director snaps up shares via Kropifko interest
Everyman Media revealed on Friday that executive director Adam Kaye had acquired 500,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed cinema chain.
EnQuest offers more than just oil price exposure, says Shore Capital
EnQuest's recent rally has a lot further to run, according to Shore Capital, which said it expects the stock to nearly double, saying that the business gives investors more than just exposure to a soaring oil price.
Capita contact centre disposal ‘slightly convoluted’ but ‘very positive’, says RBC
The sale of Capita’s private sector contact centre business ticks another box in the simplification journey, RBC Capital Markets said in a research note on Friday.
University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index falls to 53.3 in March
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index fell to 53. 3 in March, down from preliminary estimates of 55. 5 and well below February's 56. 6 reading, leaving confidence close to the record lows seen late last year as rising fuel costs and market volatility linked to the conflict in Iran weighed on households.
Winking agrees acquisition of Quebec-based Studios Ampera
Winking Studios announced on Friday that it has agreed to acquire Quebec-based Studios Ampera and appoint industry veteran Claude Bordeleau as chief revenue officer, as it looks to expand its presence in Western markets.
Novartis buys allergy specialist Excellergy for up to $2bn
Swiss pharma group Novartis has announced the acquisition of allergy drug specialist Excellergy for up to $2bn as it beefs up its presence in the immonology and food allergy markets.