Markets: financial stocks lift FTSE 100
The FTSE 100 clawed back some of Thursday’s losses on Friday, climbing 1.7% to close at 6,139.
- FTSE 100 up 1.7% to 6,139
- Gold down 1.69% to $1,250.70/oz
- £/$ 1.4382
Financial stocks were the day's best performers. Insurer Aviva led the market up with a 6.2% rise. Wealth manager St James's Place rose 4.8%, Hargreaves Lansdown added 4.4%, and Standard Chartered was 4.3% higher.
In Europe, the Paris CAC 40 rose 3.3% to 4,492, and the German Xetra Dax added 3.5% to 9,831.
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
In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.3% to 17,213, the S&P 500 gained 1.6% to 2,022, and the Nasdaq Composite was 1.9% higher at 4,748.
Overnight in Japan, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.7% to 17,233, and the broader Topix index rose 1.5% to 1,379. And in China, the CSI 300 added 1.6% to 3,065, and the Shanghai Composite was 1.8% higher at 2,859.
Brent spot was trading at $40.10 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $38.14. Spot gold was trading at $1,256 an ounce, silver was at $15.63 and platinum was at $969.
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.4359 and against the euro at 1.2914. The dollar was trading at 0.8993 against the euro and 113.72 against the Japanese yen.
And in the UK, Royal Bank of Scotland is to sack 550 staff as it replaces financial advisers with "robo-advisers" in a bid to cut costs. "The demand for face-to-face investment advice is changing", said a spokesperson. "Our customers increasingly want to bank with us using digital technology."
-
Buying a property is cheaper than renting again – how much could you save?
News Zoopla research shows it is now 8% cheaper to buy than rent. We reveal the places where you can save more by getting on the property ladder.
By Marc Shoffman Published
-
Is now a good time to invest in India?
Should you invest in India? Its market has stood out of the emerging market pack, helped by a growing pool of domestic investors.
By Cris Sholto Heaton Published