Today's Closing Update
U.S. shares were on track to open higher after a report showed U.S. job growth accelerated sharply last month, pointing to the strength of the labour market and increasing the odds of an interest rate hike next month.
UK and European Shares rose as better-than-forecast U.S. jobs data sparked optimism about the world’s biggest economy, boosting bets for a rate increase.
Centrist Emmanuel Macron’s lead over far-right candidate Marine Le Pen widened in three opinion polls published today, two days before France’s presidential vote. A poll by Ipsos/Sofra Sternia for France Televisions gave Macron the backing of 61.5% of likely voters, a gain of 2.5 points in three days, with Le Pen on 38.5%. Two polls were carried out after Wednesday evening’s television debate, in which 48-year-old Le Pen, had appeared shaky on facts but unleashed repeated insults against Macron, aged 39.
US jobs growth staged a bigger recovery than expected in April as businesses added 211K posts. Figures from the US Department of Labour also showed the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.4%, compared with 4.5% in March. The rebound in the jobs market could pave the way for the US central bank to raise interest rates in June. The economy needs to create 75K to 100K jobs a month to keep pace with growth in the working-age population.
Glencore revealed it has appointed Martin Gilbert as a new independent non-executive director with immediate effect, bringing the expertise of the chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management and the deputy chairman of Sky to the board. “On behalf of the board I am delighted to announce the appointment of Martin Gilbert. Martin is one of the leading entrepreneurs of asset management and also has a long track record as a non-executive director. We are delighted that Martin has agreed to join us and look forward to benefitting from his experience and insights,” said Glencore Chairman Tony Hayward.
GlaxoSmithKline and Innoviva said a study of Relvar Ellipta in asthma showed patients had twice the odds of achieving an improvement in asthma control compared to patients continuing usual care. The study, carried out amongst 4,233 patients, showed that significantly more asthma patients treated with Relvar Ellipta achieved an improvement in their asthma control compared to patients that continued to take their usual care medicines.
Cobham said it has completed its rights issue, after subscribers were found for the remainder of the shares that had not already been taken up. Earlier Friday the commercial and defence technology firm had said that, as of Thursday, it had received valid acceptances of 98% in relation to its 2-for-5 rights issue. Back in March the company launched the rights issue to raise £512.4m, via the issue of 83.1m shares at a price of 75p.
Debenhams shares rose higher in spite of reports that hackers had stolen personal and financial data from around 26k customers. A cyber attack was launched on the Ecomnova, the company that provides the online florist service. Debenhams said the fraudsters had access to Economova’s systems for more than six weeks, but customers of its Debenhams.com site were not affected.
Oil Prices fell to five-month lows on concerns about a persistent glut despite assurances from Saudi Arabia that Russia is ready to join OPEC in extending supply cuts.
Gold gains after data showed U.S. job growth rebounded in April and stayed on track for its biggest weekly loss in six months as expectations for a U.S. interest rate hike in June grew and euro zone political risk receded.
Market Close
Market |
Index |
Change |
% Change |
UK 100 |
7,297.4 |
+49.3 |
+0.7% |
UK 250 |
19,699.6 |
+18.8 |
+0.1% |
GER 30 |
12,710.6 |
+62.8 |
+0.5% |
FRA 40 |
5,426.6 |
+54.2 |
+1.0% |
U.S. 30 |
20,939.77 |
-11.70 |
-0.1% |
U.S. 500 |
2,392.1 |
+2.5 |
+0.1% |
OIL (BRENT) |
49.23 |
+0.85 |
+1.8% |
GOLD |
1,227.70 |
-0.46 |
-0.0% |
UK Risers & Fallers
Company |
Price |
Change |
% Change |
Pearson |
739.5 |
+81.5 |
+12.4% |
Vedanta |
627.25 |
+34 |
+5.7% |
International Consolidated Airlines |
603.5 |
+31.5 |
+5.5% |
Inmarsat |
761.25 |
-63.5 |
-7.7% |
ITV |
201.8 |
-5.4 |
-2.6% |
Barclays |
206.35 |
-5.5 |
-2.6% |
Reported Economic Data
Time/Date |
Previous |
Forecast |
Outcome |
12:30pm: U.S. Unemployment Rate |
4.5% |
4.6% |
4.4% |
12:30pm: U.S. Average Hourly Earnings m/m |
0.2% |
0.3% |
0.3% |
12:30pm: U.S. Non-Farm Employment Change |
98k |
194k |
211K |
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39820633http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1493974200888635600.html
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1493985454889007000.html
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1493978331738756000.html
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/alliance-news/detail/1493986318959036400.html
https://www.digitallook.com/news/news-and-announcements/debenhams-shares-shrug-off-cyber-attack–2657117.html
http://uk.reuters.com/article/usa-stocks-idUKL4N1I73G0
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-05/european-stocks-decline-as-plunge-in-oil-hurts-energy-producers
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-oil-idUSKBN18000F
http://uk.reuters.com/article/global-precious-idUKL4N1I72NC