1 - Santa arrives late for Footsie
The UK blue-chip index gains hit a six-week high as the Christmas rally kicks in again. Footsie closed up on Thursday around 31 points, or 0.43%, at 7,373.34
2 - AstraZeneca gets booster boost
A third jab of its Vaxzevria vaccine significantly boosts levels of antibodies that combat the Omicron variant according to research
3 - Pret woe as workers stay home
Sales at its City of London and Canary Wharf sandwich and coffee bars fell by nearly 30% in a week
4 - Biter bit as Third Point row turns ugly
Activist investor's chairman steps down after alleged threat from disgruntled shareholders
5 – Watch: Critical Metals explains DRC deal
Russell Fryer tells Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam about the proposed acquisition of the Molulu copper/cobalt mine project.