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Week ahead: Omicron, UK and US GDP in the spotlight
All eyes over the coming holiday-shortened week will continue to be on the news-flow around the Omicron virus and on prospects for NATO-Russia talks.
London close: Stocks manage positive finish after solid retail sales
London stocks managed to close in the green on Friday, with the mood underpinned by better-than-expected UK retail sales data, as investors continued to digest recent central bank moves.
Weekly review
The FTSE 100 ended the week 21. 86 points higher, closing at 7,269. 92 on Friday.
FTSE 250 movers: Qinetiq boosted by upgrade; Dunelm gives back some gains
London's FTSE 250 was up 0. 4% at 22,745. 66 in afternoon trade on Friday.
Broker tips: Smith & Nephew, Qinetiq, Boohoo
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on medical services firm Smith & Nephew from £18. 25 to £18. 40 on Friday following the firm's "extensive meet-the-management event" a day earlier.
Invinity makes progress on several 'key' projects
Utility-grade energy storage technology company Invinity Energy Systems updated the market on fourth quarter project deliveries on Friday, including the successful delivery of a number of key UK and US projects.
Director dealings: Stroll ups stake in Aston Martin, Deliveroo CFO covers tax bill with sale
Aston Martin Lagonda executive chairman Lawrence Stroll spent almost £5m this week buying more shares in the luxury car maker, it reported in filings on Friday.
Morses Club withdraws plans for new structure and holding company
Non-standard financial service provider Morses Club updated investors in recent events on Friday, reporting that after an ongoing review of proposals for the reorganisation of its business and corporate structure to introduce a new holding company, U Money, it had decided not to proceed with the process.
US open: Stocks sharply lower in early trading
Wall Street stocks were firmly in the red again early on Friday, with investors continuing to cycle out of tech stocks in early trading.
FTSE 100 movers: Shell gushes lower; Fresnillo shines
London’s FTSE 100 was down 0. 2% at 7,249. 81 in afternoon trade on Friday.
GlaxoSmithKline Covid treatment approved for use in EU
GlaxoSmithKline and Vir Biotechnology said on Friday that the European Commission has given marketing authorisation to Xevudy - sotrovimab - for the early treatment of Covid-19.
LFL sales on UK high street may have shifted online slightly due to Omicron
Britons splashed out at the start of December but the new coronavirus variant, Omicron, may have led some consumers to shift their spending online, the results of a closely-followed survey revealed.
Berenberg slightly raises target price on Smith & Nephew
Analysts at Berenberg raised their target price on medical services firm Smith & Nephew from £18. 25 to £18. 40 on Friday following the firm's "extensive meet-the-management event" a day earlier.
Barkby Group exchanges contracts on Swindon development site
Barkby Group announced on Friday that it has exchanged contracts on a property development site in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Artisanal Spirits Company ups stakes in China, Japan operations
The Artisanal Spirits Company, which owns the Scotch Malt Whisky Society membership service, announced on Friday that it has agreed to increase its equity interests in its subsidiary undertakings the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Japan and the Scotch Malt Whisky Society China, incorporated in Hong Kong.
Further rate rises likely if inflation persists - BoE's Pill
The Bank of England’s chief economist has confirmed that further rate rises would be likely should inflation persist.
Aston Martin's Stroll spends £4.8m lifting stake in carmaker
Aston Martin Lagonda executive chairman Lawrence Stroll has spent almost £5m buying more shares in the luxury car maker.
Westminster Group wins turnkey airport security contract in Africa
Security and managed services provider Westminster Group announced on Friday that its technology division has been awarded a contract to design, supply and install screening and surveillance equipment to two airports in southeast Africa.
US pre-open: Futures in the red as tech stocks continue to weigh on Nasdaq
Wall Street futures pointed to more losses ahead of the bell on Friday, with investors continuing to cycle out of tech stocks prior to the open.
Hargreaves Services set to benefit from development on Fife land
Industrial and property service provider Hargreaves Services updated the market on the successful financial close of the Westfield energy-from-waste plant on Friday, to be constructed by Brockwell Energy on a site in Fife, Scotland, owned by Hargreaves.
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