Poor employment data from the US gave the market a scare early on Friday afternoon, but stocks soon recovered and the FTSE 100 made its third day of gains in a row, rising 0.3% to 5,142 - up 2% for the week. Banks made the running, with RBS up 5.3%, HSBC adding 2.5% and Lloyds rising 2.2%.
Miners were also among the day's best performers, with Rio Tinto, ENRC, Xstrata, Kazakhmys and Antofagasta all making modest gains. Energy stocks didn't fare so well, however, with BP, BG Group and Royal Dutch Shell all slipping.
Biggest climber of the day was British Airways, which surged 6.7% after a good set of results. The day's worst performer was Rentokil Initial, which slid 6.2% after weaker than expected results.
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
Europe
In Europe, the Paris CAC fell two points to 3,707; while the German Xetra Dax was seven points higher at 5,488.
US
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both gained just 0.2% to 10,023 and 1,069 respectively; and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.3% to 2,112. The Dow Jones and S&P 500 both ended the week 3.2% higher; and the Nasdaq made a weekly gain of 3.3%.
Asia
In Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index added 0.2% to close at 9,808; while the broader Topix index slipped 0.4% to 870. In China, the Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 both rose 0.4% to 3,175 and 3,495 respectively.
Commodities
Brent spot was trading at $77.02 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $78.77. Spot gold was trading at $1,107 an ounce; silver was at $17.73 and platinum was at $1,356.
Currencies
In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.6771 and against the euro at 1.1202. The dollar was trading at 0.6682 against the euro and 90.11 against the Japanese yen.
UK news
And today, the Energy Secretary, Ed Milliband, is expected to announce a new generation of nuclear power stations for the UK as the government unveils a set of policy statements on the future of Britain's energy infrastructure. Planning procedures are expected to be streamlined to fast-track major new schemes under a new Infrastructure Planning Commission. EDF, E.ON and RWE are among the companies who hope to benefit from running the new plants.
-
FTSE 100 hits record highs – why is it rising and will we see more gains?Advice UK equities have been described as unloved for a long time but as the FTSE 100 hits new highs, we explain if now is the time to buy British.
-
How to invest in copperIt may be time to invest in copper as the red metal appears poised for a big jump. Dominic Frisby looks at what should investors should buy
