FTSE 100 Edges Higher On Strong Earnings
(RTTNews) - U.K. stocks traded higher Friday on the back of encouraging earnings results from the likes of NatWest, Standard Chartered and AstraZeneca.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 19 points, or 0.2 percent, at 7,711 after rising 0.2 percent on Thursday.
AstraZeneca shares jumped nearly 4 percent after the drug maker delivered better-than-expected profits and sales in the second quarter.
Also, its unit Alexion has agreed to buy Pfizer's early-stage rare disease gene therapy portfolio for up to $1 billion.
Lender Standard Chartered soared more than 6 percent after posting better-than-expected first-half earnings and announcing a new $1 billion share buyback.
NatWest Group advanced 1.7 percent after reporting a jump in first-half profit, benefiting from higher interest rates.
British-Airways owner IAG rallied 3.6 percent after quarterly profit beat analyst forecasts.
U.S. Dollar Falls Against Euro, Pound
Swiss Market Ends On Weak Note
European Markets Close Weak On Growth Concerns, Fading Fed Rate Cut Hopes
Canadian Market Rebounds From Early Setback; Technology, Energy Stocks Rise
Bay Street Likely To Open On Weak Note
FTSE 100 Down Sharply As Bond Yields Climb Higher
CAC 40 Sheds About 1.3% On Economic Concerns
