UK stocks closed higher on Friday as investors held out hope that stimulus measures and vaccines would get the global economy through the Covid-19 crisis, even as cases continued to jump in the US and elsewhere.London's FTSE 100 finished 39.6 points higher, or up 0.63%, at 6,290.3, while the FTSE 250 ended the session up 0.15% at 17,347.90.LARGE AND MID CAP RISERS AND FALLERSMining giant Rio Tinto

UK stocks were in positive territory at lunchtime on Friday as investors held out hope that stimulus measures and vaccines would get the global economy through the Covid-19 crisis, even as cases continued to jump in the US and elsewhere.The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 0.5% at 6,282.84, while the FTSE 250 was up 0.1% at 17,339.2.LARGE AND MID CAP RISERS AND FALLERSMining giant Rio Tinto (RIO) rose 1.

London stock markets chalked-up the worst weekly performance since the 2008 financial crisis despite clawing back a fraction of lost territory in Friday trading as earlier strength flagged.The benchmark FTSE 100 index closed 2.5% up at 5,366.11 on Friday, cementing a near 18% weekly loss, the biggest since a 21% drop in October 2008. That slump made it the third week running of heavy declines as f

Energy prices remain volatile as tensions rise in the Middle East and demand concerns linked to slowing global growth persist.In the background several AIM companies with material exposure to natural gas have issued significant announcements in the last week.On 17 June shares in Reabold Resources (RBD:AIM) and Union Jack Oil (UJO:AIM) gushed higher after drilling on their West Newton site in the N

Oil prices are marking new multi-year highs as we write, supported by a larger than expected draw on crude stocks in the US and bullish comments from Saudi Arabia.Geopolitical tensions impacting major oil producing regions such as the Middle East and Russia have also contributed to the strength in prices.Like most markets, oil is driven by supply and demand factors. Conflict and tension in major p