he FTSE 100 had one other weak displaying on Friday as weaker-than-expected retail knowledge for July weighed on London’s greatest retailers.

The Office for National Statistics mentioned retail gross sales volumes fell 1.2% in the course of the month as they have been impacted by unusually moist summer season climate.

As a outcome, main excessive avenue companies resembling JD Sports, Frasers and M&S all closed decrease.

London’s high flight moved 0.65%, or 47.78 factors, decrease to complete at 7,262.43.

The primary indexes throughout Europe have been within the crimson on Friday as they got here underneath strain from worries over the Chinese economic system and better bond yields.

Read More

Germany’s Dax index was 0.65% decrease for the day and the Cac 40 closed down 0.39%.

Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK, mentioned: “It’s been another day of losses for European markets, with the FTSE 100 closing lower for the sixth day in a row and matching its worst losing streak since October last year, as well as revisiting its March lows.

“The Dax has also had a poor week as it looks to close in on its July lows.

“This week’s market weakness has been primarily driven by Asia markets, with the Hang Seng finishing the week down 5.9% and closing in bear market territory, as China’s Evergrande filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court overnight.”

Across the Atlantic, the US markets took their cues from weak spot in Europe and Asia to drop decrease on the opening bell.

Meanwhile, sterling dipped barely towards the important thing currencies after economists have been left unimpressed by the decline in retail gross sales and what it might imply for spending throughout the UK economic system.

The pound was down 0.02% to 1.273 US {dollars} and was 0.04% decrease at 1.171 euros at market shut in London.

In firm news, shares in Everyman Media have been flat at 60p after the upmarket cinema chain revealed decrease revenues and earnings for the primary half of 2023.

In the six months to the tip of June, income fell by 5.9%, whereas earnings dropped from £7.5 million to £5.8 million, though the agency cheered a robust July on the again of hype across the Barbie and Oppenheimer releases.

Shares in RS Group have been firmly decrease on Friday after brokers at UBS minimize their forecasts and downgraded the inventory.

Analysts for the Swiss financial institution mentioned they “now expect a bigger profit unwind” on the electronics agency because of issues over weakening markets.

Shares fell by 25.4p to 696.6p in consequence in the course of the buying and selling session.

The value of oil slipped once more barely to set itself up for a primary weekly decline after seven consecutive weeks of beneficial properties.

A barrel of Brent crude oil fell by 0.32% to 84.09 US {dollars} on the time markets have been closing in London.

The greatest risers on the FTSE 100 have been British American Tobacco, up 38p at 2,525p, Tesco, up 3.2p at 249.7p, WPP, up 6.8p at 744.6p, BAE Systems, up 7.6p at 963.4p, and Sage Group, up 5p at 943.4p.

The greatest fallers on the FTSE 100 have been Airtel Africa, down 5p at 108.7p, RS Group, down 25.4p at 696.6p, Antofagasta, down 47p at 1,375.5, Prudential, down 31.2p at 947p, and JD Sports, down 3.7p at 149.7p.