Friday,19 April 2024 17:02:40

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Friday,19 April 2024 at 16:01

UK and European stock markets closed lower, rounding off a week in which escalating tensions in the Middle East and repricing of interest rate expectations have been in focus.

Currency markets settled into an uneasy calm after the Swiss franc and Japanese yen jumped on reports that Israel had attacked Iran in the latest tit-for-tat exchange between the two.

Gold prices held firm as fears of further escalation between Iran and Israel triggered safe-haven demand.

French industrial energy giant Schneider Electric on Friday announced that it was in discussions to take over US-listed software firm Bentley Systems in a deal that could be worth nearly $16bn.

While it highlighted that no deal is certain, Schneider Electric said it was exploring a "potential strategic transaction" with Bentley, which had a market cap of $15.6bn as of Thursday's close.

Markets

At the close

FTSE 100 7,895 +0.24%

FTSE 250 19,391 (-0.31%)

DAX 17,742 (-0.53%)

At 16:55

Dow Jones 37,929 +0.41%

S&P 500 4,991 (-0.39%)

NASDAQ 15,428 (-1.11%)

Fixed Income

UK 10-YR YIELD 4.224

Exchange Rates

GBP/USD 1.240

GBP/EUR 1.163

Commodities

Gold $2,393 +0.61%

Brent $87.26 +1.02%

Important - No news or research item should be construed as a recommendation to trade. The inclusion of securities within this report does not necessarily imply their suitability for individual portfolios or situations in respect of which further advice should be sought. Information contained in this report has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable but is not warranted to be accurate or complete.