Michele Maatouk

Shoe Zone warned on profits on Wednesday and said it had been forced to close some stores due to changes announced in the Budget, sending shares in the retailer tumbling.

Jefferies hiked its price target on BA and Iberia owner IAG on Wednesday to 350p from 270p saying it expects the fourth quarter to deliver similar trends to Q3, driving confidence in the short-term macro and travel environment.

London's FTSE 100 was flat at 8,193.76 in afternoon trade on Wednesday.

Output volumes in the manufacturing sector fell in the quarter to December at the fastest pace since mid-2020, according to the latest Industrial Trends survey from the Confederation of British Industry.

London stocks were set to slide on Thursday following sharp losses on Wall Street, after the Federal Reserve spooked markets with its rate outlook, and as investors eyed the latest policy announcement from the Bank of England.

Intelligent Ultrasound said on Thursday that it has agreed to be taken over by Sweden’s Surgical Science in a deal that values the group at £45.2m.

London's FTSE 100 was down 1.3% at 8,089.42 in afternoon trade on Thursday.

Judges Scientific said on Friday that chairman Alexander Hambro has decided to retire at the end of 2024.

33.04p Boohoo said on Friday that its shareholders had voted overwhelmingly against the appointment of Frasers Group' s Mike Ashley and restructuring expert Mike Lennon to the board.

London's FTSE 100 was down 1.2% at 8,011.35 in afternoon trade on Friday.