The FTSE 100 bounced back on Friday morning, opening higher after Thursday saw losses in both the UK and US markets.
The good news didn’t quite extend to the retail sector however, with fresh ONS data showing that retail sales were 5.8% lower on the year in December, the biggest year on year December fall since records began in 1997.
Higher costs also seem to be biting credit lender Capital One, which sacked 1,100 staff in its tech department this week, joining the likes of Microsoft and Amazon in making reductions.
Energy firm SSE was more positive, raising its full-year guidance. It now expects earnings per share to be over 150p, originally predicting 120p, following a period of high energy prices.
In small caps, San Leon Energy shares jumped after it received the first payments for oil sales from one of its Nigerian projects.
Asset managers Gresham House also have a progress update out this Friday morning as well, that you can read all about on our website.
Today’s report was written by Josh Lamb and presented by me Thomas Warner.