The FTSE 100 traded 16.66 points higher at 10,884.55 on Friday, as investors assessed fresh US trade measures, firmer oil prices, and awaited the US jobs report later in the day. Brent crude futures rose 0.91% to $83.24 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.57% to $77.73 per barrel.
Sterling was quoted at $1.3452 early Friday, slightly lower than $1.3454 at the London equities close on Thursday. Against the euro, sterling fell marginally to €1.1674 from €1.1675 a day prior.
Gainers & Losers
On the upside, Fresnillo surged 2.74% to 2,813p. Convatec Group advanced 2.73% to 233p, while BAE Systems climbed 1.68% to 2,237p. London Stock Exchange Group gained 1.53% to 8,884p, Diageo rose 1.47% to 1,758p, and AstraZeneca added 1.38% to 12,014p.
On the downside, Severn Trent fell 1.03% to 3,084p. Whitbread declined 0.87% to 2,506p, while Antofagasta slipped 0.76% to 3,944p. 3i Group eased 0.73% to 2,850p, Shell dropped 0.59% to 3,295.5p, and Unilever edged 0.40% lower to 4,690p.
Oxford Biomedica Cuts Profit Forecast
Oxford Biomedica slashed its revenue target for the year by nearly £40 million after slower customer demand. The firm lowered its full-year revenue forecast to £180 million to £200 million, from between £220 million and £240 million, due to clients delaying contract signings. CEO Dr. Frank Mathias said despite the profit warning, the company remains confident about its future in the cell and gene therapy sector.
JD Sports Appoints Former IKEA Boss as Chair
JD Sports named Peter Agnefjäll, the former CEO of IKEA, as its new chair, succeeding interim chair Darren Shapland. Agnefjäll’s appointment follows Andy Higginson’s resignation in April. Higginson noted he was proud of his tenure during a tough period in the sportswear market and the brand’s US expansion.
Meta Fined $567 Million in New Mexico
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million (£421 million) for failing to protect children against online harms on its platforms. Judge Bryan Biedscheid described the tech giant as a “public nuisance” and compared it to air pollution. This fine adds to a $375 million penalty imposed in March, bringing total penalties to nearly $1 billion.
Global Market Overview
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.9% from its record high, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, and the Nasdaq edged 0.1% lower amid higher Treasury yields. In Asia, Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.12%, while China’s Shanghai Composite gained 1.02%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng advanced 0.45%, and South Korea’s Kospi edged lower by 0.6%. In India, both the Nifty 50 and the Sensex fell by 0.31% and 0.53%, respectively.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
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