The FTSE 100 closed down 0.4% Friday, snapping a three-trading day winning streak, as U.S. jobs data showing that hiring was slowing down across the country added to expectations that the Federal Reserve would likely cut interest rates in the summer. Data from the U.S. Labor Department showed 275,000 jobs were added in February, more than the expected 200,000. "Today's jobs figure is perhaps one of those hoped-for 'Goldilocks' moments--just enough signs of weakness to spur hope of rate cuts, but also a solid headline jobs number to underline the overall strength of the U.S. economy," IG analyst Chris Beauchamp said in a note. Entain was the day's biggest faller, down 5.4%, followed by Melrose Industries and Rentokil Initial, down 2.5% and 2.4% respectively. DS Smith was the day's biggest riser, up 5.2%.


COMPANIES NEWS:

Frasers to Put Matches Into Administration Two Months After Buying It

Frasers said its online luxury retailer Matches will be put into administration just two months after acquiring it.

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Mattioli Woods Agrees to $553 Million Takeover Offer From Pollen Street Capital

Wealth-management firm Mattioli Woods agreed to the terms of a takeover offer from private equity investor Pollen Street Capital in a deal that values it at around 432 million pounds ($553.3 million).

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Capital & Regional Expects Profit Increase on Positive Momentum; Raises Dividend

Capital & Regional said it expects profit for 2023 to increase, supported by a positive leasing momentum, and raised its dividend payout.

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Informa Pretax Profit Rises; Plans Share Buyback of at Least GBP340 Mln

Informa reported a higher pretax profit for 2023 with double-digit revenue growth across all its segments, and said that it plans a share buyback program of at least 340 million pounds ($435.5 million) in 2024.

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Petra Diamonds CFO Jacques Breytenbach to Step Down

Petra Diamonds said its Chief Financial Officer Jacques Breytenbach has resigned from his role and as a director for personal reasons.

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DS Smith Shares Rise on Preliminary GBP5.14 Bln All-Share Takeover by Mondi

Shares of DS Smith rose in early trade after its larger peer Mondi said late Thursday that the two companies had agreed to in-principal terms of an all-share takeover of DS Smith that values the company at 5.14 billion pounds ($6.58 billion), and that the U.K. Takeover Panel had extended the deadline for them to reach a formal deal.

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MC Mining Gets Indicative A$81.6 Mln Takeover Proposal From Vulcan Resources

MC Mining said it has received an approach from Vulcan Resources over a potential cash offer that values the company at up to 81.6 million Australian dollars ($54 million).

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BP Claws Back a Further $2.3 Million From Ex-CEO Looney

BP clawed back a further 1.8 million pounds ($2.3 million) from ex-boss Bernard Looney's remuneration package following his formal dismissal in December, the company said in its annual report.

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UK Commercial Property REIT Extends Tritax Big Box's Offer Deadline

UK Commercial Property REIT Ltd. said it has extended the deadline for Tritax Big Box REIT to make a firm takeover offer to March 22.


MARKET TALK:

Frasers's Matches Decision Shows Luxury-Sector Slowdown

0942 GMT - Frasers Group's decision to put online luxury-fashion retailer Matches into administration less than three months after buying suggests the financial woes are clearly much worse than Frasers had thought, Interactive Investor's head of investment Victoria Scholar says in a note. It also adds more concerns to the sector as it highlights the broader slowdown within the luxury-goods market, she adds. "While luxury brands typically raise prices without much of a problem for demand, perhaps now price hikes have gone too far as consumers' propensity to spend wanes," Scholar says. Shares are down 1% currently, and down 12% since the start of the year. (michael.susin@wsj.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires;


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-08-24 1246ET