Markets: FTSE 100 ends the week on a positive note
The FTSE 100 ended the week on a positive note on Friday, climbing 0.2% to close at 7,070.
- FTSE 100 up 0.2% to 7,070
- Gold down 1.22% to $1,179.44/oz
- £/$ - 1.5171
HSBC was the day's top performer, climbing 2.9%. Housebuilders were also in demand. Barratt Developments added 2.2% and Taylor Wimpey rose 2.1%, and building materials supplier CRH was 2.4% higher.
In European markets, the Paris CAC 40 rose 0.4% to 5,201, and the German Xetra Dax gained 0.7% to 11,810.
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1% to 18,080, the S&P 500 added 0.2% to 2,117, and the Nasdaq Composite was 0.7% higher at 5,092.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Overnight in Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 0.2% to 19,983, and the broader Topix index gained one point to 1,619. And in China, the Shanghai Composite added 3% to 4,527, and the CSI 300 was 2.2% higher at 4,807.
Brent spot was trading at $65.19 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $56.93. Spot gold was trading at $1,183 an ounce, silver was at $15.82 and platinum was at $1,122.
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.5154 and against the euro at 1.3958. The dollar was trading at 0.9210 against the euro and 119.16 against the Japanese yen.
And today, RBS says it is to sell a portfolio of North American loans to Japanese bank Mizuho for $500m. Mizuho, which bought $3bn worth of loans from RBS in February, will also be taking on up to 200 RBS staff, according to Bloomberg.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
-
Nationwide hikes FlexPlus current account fee by £5 a month – is it worth it?
Nationwide’s FlexPlus current account is a favourite with customers, but it’s worth checking whether you are taking advantage of the perks after the monthly fee went from £13 to £18
By Katie Williams Published
-
Santander launches online pension that offers up to £1,000 cashback
Santander's self-invested personal pension offers customers cashback of up to £1,000 if they invest before 25 April next year - here is everything you need to know
By Chris Newlands Published