UK stocks traded largely unchanged at the close on Friday as investors shrugged off better than expected US non-farm payroll figures and a slew of positive earnings surprises from companies.At 4.35pm the benchmark FTSE 100 index inched up 5 points to 6,032 as weakness in banks, energy stocks and mining firms offset a strong performance by companies reporting earnings.WINNERSGeneric drugs...

UK stocks traded marginally lower on Friday as investors mulled growing trade tensions and markets awaited the latest US non-farm payroll figures for an insight into the world's leading economy.At midday the benchmark FTSE 100 index edged down 5 points to 6,022 as weakness in banks and energy stocks offset a strong performance by companies reporting earnings.WINNERSGeneric drugs company Hikma...

It was a slow start to trading in shares on Friday as rising Covid-19 cases and US-China tensions dented sentiment at the end of a week marked by largely upbeat quarterly earnings and improving economic data.The benchmark FTSE 100 opened a fraction lower in subdued trading, nudging 0.03% lower to 6,025.37, but remains on course for its first weekly gain in three as investors bet on more...

On a fairly quiet start to the week for both economic and corporate announcements the FTSE 100 takes its cue from weak trading in Asia overnight to start 3.95 points lower at 7,405.69.Consumer electronics business Samsung shed 4% to hit a one-month low after Morgan Stanley cut its recommendation on the South Korean business, helping to drag the wider equity market in the country lower.The...

The ability of micro cap stocks to deliver super-sized returns in super quick time is exemplified by Catalyst Media (CMX:AIM).The £12.3 million cap's main asset is a 20.5% stake in provider of broadcasting services to bookies Satellite Information Services (SIS) and it is up 63.9% in the space of a week to 50p after SIS secured (23 Sep) a new five year deal with Racecourse Media commencing...

Investors should look through a dip in profitability next year as Newmark Security (NWT:AIM) builds out its sales and marketing capabilities, says Newmark Security CEO Marie-Claire Dwek.Revenue was lower in the second half of Newmark's financial year than the first and profit looks set to fallin the year ahead.Shares in Newmark, which supplies security systems including bomb-proof doors and...

Eagle's Asda landingDigital vouchers might be finally ready to make a mainstream breakthrough as micro cap technology developer Eagle Eye Solutions (EYE:AIM) seals a two-year deal with supermarkets chain Asda. The agreement will mean digital discounts can be offered to Asda customers and redeemed easily and quickly at the cash register. (SFr)Smiths suffers oil cutbacksEngineering company...

Contract risk remains an issue at security screen installer Newmark Security (NWT:AIM), despite impressive numbers for the first six months of the year and increasing earnings diversification.Shares in the stock gained 0.4p or 20% to trade at 2.43p in early trade as itdoubled pre-exceptional operating profit to £1.6 million in the six months to end-October.The business is valued at £11.2...

London blue-chips take an early trading dip on an otherwise quiet Friday as investors tread cautiously ahead of some key economic data, including consumer price figures in the Eurozone and growth estimates in the US. The benchmark FTSE 100 is 28 points off, or 0.5%, at 6,779. Midcaps nudge off near multi-year highs, the FTSE 250 slipping 11 points lower to 16,348.Crude oil is mildly firmer,...

A profit warning from BATM Advanced Communications (BVC) has triggered a 25% fall in the share price to 15p. The medical laboratory-to-telecoms technology specialist has suffered from a delay in receiving parts and tighter credit control. The latter has seen BATM demand stricter payment conditions before it will send out goods, resulting in the group stopping shipments to several major...