Europe close: Stocks mostly higher as bond yields fall
European stocks ended mostly higher on Friday on reports the US and Iran were in talks on a possible phased re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz while falling bond yields also boosted sentiment.
Week ahead: All eyes on non-farm payrolls
Next week will bring results from the likes of Nike in the US and JD Wetherspoon in the UK, while on Friday, all eyes will turn to the latest US non-farm payrolls report.
London close: FTSE ends off highs as oil pares losses
London stocks ended just a touch firmer on Friday, off earlier highs as oil prices pared losses, and as data from GfK showed a surprise improvement in British consumer sentiment.
Broker tips: Cohort, On the Beach
Analysts at Berenberg said on Friday that Cohort's AGM update on 24 September was reassuring, highlighting continued order‑intake momentum and improving margins across the group's businesses.
Director dealings: Trufin CEO snaps up more shares
Trufin revealed on Friday that chief executive James van den Bergh had acquired 25,000 ordinary shares in the AIM-listed software firm.
US consumer sentiment weakens to 48.1 in September
US consumer sentiment weakened in September, according to the University of Michigan, slipping to a four‑month low and leaving the index about 15% below its January level, as households reported softer views on both current and year‑ahead personal finances and growing unease over persistent price pressures.
US open: Markets rebound at the bell as falling oil, softer yields lift sentiment
Major indices were in the green early on Friday as both oil prices and Treasury yields headed south.
Harworth accepts sweetened £632m offer from Peel, shares jump
Property developer Harworth Group on Friday said it had accepted a sweetened and final 187p-a-share offer from Peel Holdings, valuing the company at £631. 7m.
Canaccord Genuity lowers On the Beach target price
Canaccord Genuity cut its target price for On the Beach from 240p to 220p on Friday after the group's FY26 trading update, saying reduced FY27 guidance and a still‑fragile consumer backdrop limited upside despite a stronger finish to the year.
FTSE 100 movers: Oil stocks fall; Computacenter gains
London’ FTSE 100 was up 0. 1% at 10,692. 62 in afternoon trade on Friday.
US durable goods orders flat in August
US durable goods orders were broadly flat in August, according to the Census Bureau, holding at $338. 6bn after two consecutive monthly increases and defying expectations for a 0. 4% decline.
Eurozone corporate lending growth slows as borrowing costs start to bite
Growth in lending to eurozone businesses slowed in August, according to figures released by the European Central Bank on Friday, offering an early sign that tighter monetary policy may be starting to weigh on credit demand.
Morgan Stanley expecting BoE rate hikes in November, February
Morgan Stanley said on Friday that it was changing its Bank of England rate call and now expects one hike in November and one in February.
Safestay shares slump as profits, forward bookings drop
Safestay shares tumbled on Friday after the hostel operator reported weaker first-half trading and warned that forward bookings remained sharply below last year’s level.
US pre-open: Futures higher despite Treasury yields hitting fresh highs
Wall Street futures were in the green ahead of the opening bell on Friday despite Treasury yields continuing on their upward climb.
London midday: FTSE maintains gains as oil prices ease off highs
London stocks were still firmer by midday on Friday, after data from GfK showed a surprise improvement in British consumer sentiment and as oil prices came off recent highs.
Europe midday: Stoxx gains on falling bond yields, US-Iran talk hopes
European shares were higher on Friday on reports the US and Iran were in talks on a possible phased re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz while falling bond yields also boosted sentiment.
HelloFresh tumbles as it warns on profits again
HelloFresh tumbled on Friday as it warned on profits again, pointing to a weaker-than-expected third quarter.