FTSE 100 up 0.15 per cent by close of trade on Friday
FTSE 100 up 0.15 per cent as markets close in London on Friday
Friday, 12, Mar 2010 05:18
The markets in London closed up 0.15 per cent, at 8.39 points to 5,625.65, by close of trade on Friday, with banking shares again leading the gains.
Leading the blue-chip gainers on the FTSE 100 was British Sky Broadcasting, which added five per cent before the markets closed for the weekend.
Also among the gainers were bank; with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) adding 4.98 per cent, while Lloyds Banking Group added 3.41 per cent and Barclays PLC 2.36 per cent.
Despite the Unite union warning British Airways that cabin crew would almost certainly be striking this month, the airline added 2.21 per cent before the markets closed.
Leading the FTSE 100 fallers was Resolution Ld, which shed 1.56 per cent, while HSBC Holdings was also among the day's losers, down 1.53 per cent.
Earlier Nick Serff, market analyst at City Index said: "European markets endured a seesaw trading day to finish the week after weak Michigan Consumer Sentiment poured cold water on much better than expected US Retail Sales.
"The markets have had a very choppy day with some quite sharp moves after US retails Sales figures and Michigan consumer sentiment both managed to delight and alarm all in the space of 90 minutes. The sharp equity moves as a result emphasises how sensitive investors are to economic data right now."