Europe close: Stocks higher on fresh hopes for US-Iran deal
European shares closed higher on Friday as investors assessed German economic data and the latest developments in the US-Iran war, while oil prices also edged up.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week up 271. 51 points, or 2. 66%, closing at 10,466. 26 on Friday.
Week ahead: Kingfisher and Pets at Home results due; US PCE eyed
The UK corporate calendar will be a lot quieter next week when traders return to their desks after the Bank Holiday weekend.
London close: FTSE ends up amid peace hopes; borrowing, retail sales data in focus
London stocks ended up on Friday amid renewed hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran, as investors mulled a bigger-than-expected drop in UK retail sales and higher-than-expected borrowing figures.
FTSE 100 movers: Games Workshop rallies; Convatec drops again
London’s FTSE 100 was up 0. 3% at 10,470. 09 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Broker tips: S&U, UK utilities
Berenberg lifted its recommendation on S&U on Friday, while JPMorgan said recent political uncertainty had created a buying opportunity in UK utilities.
US open: Stocks rise on renewed hopes for Iran peace deal
Wall Street opened higher on Friday as investors took encouragement from renewed hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran, even as oil prices rose and a weak consumer sentiment report underlined the inflationary toll of the conflict.
Director dealings: 3i Group CEO invests, Shell boss makes EUR 1.49m sale
Among the director dealings disclosed to the market in London on Friday, 3i Group chief executive Simon Borrows bought shares in the investment company, while Shell chief executive Wael Sawan sold shares in the energy major.
IMAX said to be exploring sale, shares surge
IMAX shares surged on Friday following a report the cinema firm is exploring a sale and has approached entertainment companies as potential buyers.
Bodycote confirms takeover talks with Apollo, shares surge
Bodycote surged on Friday as it confirmed it has received a conditional takeover proposal from private equity firm Apollo Management.
Berenberg upgrades S&U to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ after Q1 update
Berenberg upgraded S&U on Friday to ‘buy’ from ‘hold’ and lifted the price target to 2,310p from 2,220p as the bank becomes increasingly positive about the medium-term outlook following the company’s first-quarter update this week.
RUA Life Sciences flags smaller EBITDA loss
RUA Life Sciences said in an update on Friday that it expected to report a smaller EBITDA loss, broadly reaching breakeven on an adjusted basis, after revenue growth in its UK contract development and manufacturing and biomaterials businesses offset weaker trading at Abiss.
Metals Exploration reports record revenue, cash generation
Metals Exploration reported record annual revenue and cash generation for 2025 on Friday, despite lower gold production at Runruno, as higher gold prices supported earnings and helped fund development of the La India project in Nicaragua.
FIH Group announces another special dividend
FIH Group said on Friday that it would pay a further special dividend to shareholders following the completion of two disposals, taking total returns linked to the transactions to about £13. 8m.
Europe open: Shares up as traders assess German data; Puig slumps
European shares opened higher as traders assessed economic data from Germany and the latest developments in the US-Iran war.
Europe midday: Stoxx up on German data, Iran peace hopes
European shares were higher as traders assessed economic data from Germany and the latest developments in the US-Iran war.
London midday: FTSE stays up amid US-Iran peace hopes; UK data in focus
London stocks were still in the black by midday on Friday amid renewed hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran, as investors mulled a bigger-than-expected drop in UK retail sales and higher-than-expected borrowing figures.
US pre-open: Stocks seen up amid US-Iran peace hopes; Estee Lauder surges
US stocks looked set to rise at the open on Friday amid renewed hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran.
Checkit receiving 'credible interest' under formal sale process
Checkit said in an update on Friday that it had received credible interest from potential acquirers under its formal sale process, although it cautioned that there was no certainty any offer would be made.