FTSE 100 boosted by easing US-China trade tensions
London’s top-flight stocks were bolstered by a weaker pound and upbeat global markets on Friday, as progress appeared to be made in trade relations between the US and China.
UK and abroad
Electric car maker Tesla to cut workforce by 7%
Tesla is to cut its workforce by about 7% after a difficult year for the electric car maker.
Retail sales drop in December as consumers shift shopping to Black Friday
Retail sales dropped in December as shoppers increasingly shifted spending to the Black Friday promotional period.
Mobile phones set to drag on Dixons Carphone trading
Dixons Carphone is expected to book another sales slump at its troubled mobile phone division when it reports on its third-quarter performance next week.
Sophos shares crash on billings warning
Shares in Sophos tumbled on Friday after the cybersecurity firm warned that “subdued” trading would drag into the fourth quarter.
Henry Boot trading in line with expectations despite Brexit uncertainty
Construction company Henry Boot’s real-estate activities performed in line with expectations last year, despite Brexit uncertainty and booking a one off charge related to a pension ruling.
Eddie Stobart sales accelerate ahead of forecasts
Eddie Stobart Logistics saw sales race ahead last year as the road haulier was boosted by new contract wins.
Bakkavor reports higher revenue despite weak consumer confidence
Bakkavor posted higher revenue for 2018 despite weak consumer confidence in the UK.
Ryanair issues profit warning as lower winter fares bite
Ryanair has warned over profits as the budget airline counts the cost of lower than expected airfares over winter amid over capacity in Europe.
Simba Sleep founder steps up to rescue slipper brand Mahabis
Millennial slipper brand Mahabis has been rescued from administration by one of the founders of mattress startup Simba Sleep and his boutique investment firm.
FTSE 100 ends in the red as ITV shares slide
The FTSE 100 struggled for direction on Thursday, while the pound continued to edge higher as currency traders eagerly anticipate Theresa May’s so called “Plan B” Brexit proposal.
Royal Bank of Scotland outlines plan to reduce taxpayer stake
The Royal Bank of Scotland has proposed buying back shares from the Government as it looks to deploy excess capital and speed up its privatisation.
Hundreds of jobs to go as Philips opts to shut baby bottle factory
Electronics giant Philips is to close its Glemsford factory and transfer its operations to the Netherlands, putting 430 jobs at risk and dealing a major blow to Brexit Britain.
Regulator orders E to stop transfer of Economy Energy customers
The energy regulator has stepped in to stop customers of the failed Economy Energy being transferred to another supplier under an agreement that may no longer be valid.
Plans for new nuclear power station suspended
The Government offered to consider taking a stake in a new multibillion-pound nuclear power station before the project was suspended, it has been revealed.
Patisserie Valerie deputy chairman resigns amid accounting scandal aftermath
The deputy chairman of Patisserie Valerie has resigned a day after the group revealed the extent of an accounting scandal which pushed it close to collapse last year.
N Brown sees sales fall amid ‘challenging’ Christmas
Fashion retailer N Brown has revealed falling sales after a “challenging and highly promotional” Christmas.
Game Digital’s Christmas sales rose but UK arm suffered
Game Digital’s sales rose over Christmas and margins improved, although sales at its UK business suffered.
GVC expects earnings to beat market consensus
Gambling company GVC expects full-year earnings will beat market consensus thanks to strong growth in its online business.
Premier Foods names acting boss amid sales woes
Mr Kipling Cakes firm Premier Foods named its finance chief as interim chief executive as it revealed tumbling sweet treat and overseas sales.
Whitbread sales rise, but company warns over UK outlook
Premier Inn owner Whitbread has posted higher third-quarter sales and backed its full-year guidance, but warned over the environment in the UK.
Primark hails profit cheer amid resilient UK performance
Primark owner Associated British Foods has said profits at the budget fashion chain are “well ahead”, despite a fall in like-for-like sales over its festive quarter.
Commuters and students hit by openly-admitted inflation flaw, warns report
Students and rail passengers are being unfairly penalised by an openly-admitted error in the way a key measure of UK inflation is calculated, a Lords committee has warned.
FTSE 100 slips lower after Reckitt Benckiser chief’s departure
Top-flight shares in London ended the day lower on Wednesday, with consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser among the biggest fallers after the announcement of its chief executive’s departure.
Pound steady as Tories face no-confidence vote
Sterling was in a resilient mood on Wednesday, holding onto gains ahead of a Parliamentary no-confidence vote on Theresa May’s Government.
Patisserie Valerie reveals ‘devastating’ extent of accounting scandal
Patisserie Valerie has unveiled the “devastating” extent of the irregularities in its accounting, which included thousands of false entries into the company’s ledgers.
Administrators receive offers for HMV
A number of offers have been put forward for music retailer HMV, administrators have confirmed.
Goldman Sachs earnings beat expectations but bank books litigation charge
Goldman Sachs’s fourth quarter earnings beat expectations thanks to growth in its core investment banking arm, but the lender booked a multimillion-US dollar litigation charge.
Cineworld posts mixed set of results following US deal
Cineworld welcomed a record number of film goers last year, even as the blazing hot summer and the World Cup hit sales in the UK.
Pound will remain volatile after Brexit delay hope sparks rebound, says Carney
Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said the pound’s rebound after the Commons vote signals market hope that Brexit can be delayed, but warned over further volatility.
‘Remain dividend’ would mean cheaper pints, says City Pub Group boss
The boss of City Pub Group has said there would be a “Remain dividend” for consumers if Brexit is called off, including lower prices for food and drink.
City Pub Group eyes further expansion as sales increase
City Pub Group’s sales grew rapidly last year as the premium operator opened a string of new sites.