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Oil prices extended their losses on Friday, slipping further after a 1.6% drop in the previous session as geopolitical risk premiums receded following an agreement between Israel and Hamas on the first stage of a plan to end the conflict in Gaza.

By 06:36 GMT, Brent Crude futures were down 24 cents, or 0.4%, at $64.98 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures declined 20 cents, or 0.3%, to $61.31.

Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement on Thursday in the first step of U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war. Under the deal, which was ratified by the Israeli government on Friday, hostilities will end, Israel will partially withdraw from Gaza, and Hamas will release all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of hundreds of prisoners held by Israel.

Despite the day’s decline, both crude benchmarks were up around 0.7% on the week after a steep fall last week. Prices had briefly risen about 1% on Wednesday to a one-week high, supported by stalled progress on a Ukraine peace deal, which raised the prospect of continued sanctions on Russia — the world’s second-largest oil exporter.

“The Gaza ceasefire deal was a major step towards ending the two-year war that has raised the risk of oil supply disruptions,” Daniel Hynes, an analyst at ANZ, said in a note on Friday.

“This (deal) saw the focus move back to the impending oil surplus, as OPEC proceeds with the unwinding of production cuts,” Hynes said.

A smaller-than-expected November production increase agreed by OPEC and its allies (OPEC+) on Sunday helped ease oversupply fears.

“Markets’ expectations for a sharp ramp up in crude supply have not manifested themselves in substantially lower prices,” analysts at BMI Research wrote in a note on Friday. “The most recent rise in production is lower than previously feared contributing to a slight rise in prices for the week,” they said.

Investors are also monitoring the risk of a prolonged U.S. government shutdown, which could weaken economic activity and weigh on oil demand in the world’s largest crude consumer.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

BP PLC (LSE:BP.) has secured a favorable arbitration ruling in its dispute with Venture Global LNG concerning the U.S. supplier’s failure to fulfill liquefied natural gas (LNG) delivery obligations under a long-term supply agreement.

The case revolved around Venture Global’s contractual commitment to supply LNG to BP. Although details of the arbitration award have not been disclosed, Venture Global confirmed that the panel’s decision sided with BP.

The outcome marks a significant moment in the commercial relationship between the two energy companies and could shape the structure of their LNG supply arrangements in the future.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

European equities were little changed at Friday’s open, with gains in automotive and banking stocks balancing out declines in the healthcare sector. Investor attention remained on the political situation in France, where President Emmanuel Macron is expected to name a new prime minister soon.

By 07:12 GMT, the STOXX 600 index was steady at 571.2 points, on track for a third consecutive weekly gain.

The autos sector rose 0.9%, helped by a 1.5% jump in Milan-listed Stellantis N.V. (BIT:STLAM) shares after the company reported a 13% year-on-year increase in global vehicle shipments for the third quarter. Eurozone banks were also higher, up 0.5%, with BNP Paribas (EU:BNP) and Commerzbank AG (TG:CBK) both gaining close to 1%.

On the downside, healthcare stocks fell 0.5%. UK-based AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) and Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) were each down about 1%.

Political developments in France also drew market interest as Macron convenes meetings with mainstream political parties ahead of the deadline to name a new prime minister. French blue-chip stocks gained 0.3%.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Energiekontor AG (TG:EKT) dropped 13.3% after the wind and solar developer cut its earnings guidance for 2025.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

London stocks started Friday’s session in negative territory as the British pound continued to slide against the U.S. dollar, dropping further below the $1.33 mark. This came in contrast to a more upbeat tone across other major European markets.

By 07:39 GMT, the FTSE 100 was down 0.1%, while the pound slipped 0.08% to $1.32. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s DAX gained 0.1% and France’s CAC 40 advanced 0.3%.

Hays Sees 8% Decline in Net Fees as Hiring Slowdown Continues

Hays plc (LSE:HAS) reported an 8% year-on-year fall in net fees for the quarter ended 30 September, reflecting persistent weakness in both permanent and temporary hiring markets. On a like-for-like basis, net fees also declined by 8%, unchanged from the previous quarter.

Temporary and contracting net fees were down 5%, while permanent net fees fell by a sharper 14%, largely due to a 13% drop in placement volumes.

AstraZeneca to Invest $4.5 Billion in New U.S. Manufacturing Facility

AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN) has broken ground on a new $4.5 billion manufacturing facility in Virginia, marking a major expansion of its U.S. operations. The plant is expected to significantly boost the company’s production capacity in the region.

BP Wins Arbitration Case Against Venture Global

BP PLC (LSE:BP.) has won its arbitration case against Venture Global LNG over the U.S. supplier’s failure to deliver liquefied natural gas under a long-term contract. The ruling centers on Venture Global’s contractual obligations to supply LNG to BP, marking a significant legal victory for the energy major.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Hays plc (LSE:HAS) has released its First Quarter Trading Statement for the period ending 30 September 2025, which is now publicly accessible. This update provides investors and stakeholders with a detailed view of the company’s financial performance and strategic positioning within the global recruitment industry, potentially influencing market sentiment and investment decisions.

The company’s outlook continues to be shaped by ongoing financial and operational pressures. Hays faces profitability and revenue growth challenges, which are reflected in its overall performance score. Technical indicators also suggest a bearish trend, adding further pressure. While valuation concerns remain due to a negative P/E ratio, these are partly offset by the company’s strong dividend yield.

About Hays plc

Hays plc is a leading global professional recruitment group, specializing in the placement of qualified, skilled, and professional candidates across a broad range of industries and professions. The company operates in both temporary and permanent recruitment markets, leveraging its international presence to connect talent with opportunities worldwide.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Ibstock Plc (LSE:IBST) has reported weaker-than-expected demand across its core construction markets in the third quarter of 2025, which affected revenues from both its clay and concrete product divisions.

Despite this slowdown, the company has maintained its market share and delivered improved productivity and operational efficiency. Ibstock is prioritizing cash management and investing in strategic growth initiatives, including the development of new products and facilities, to strengthen its position ahead of an anticipated market recovery. While near-term trading conditions remain challenging, management expects recent investments to yield benefits as demand gradually improves.

The company’s outlook reflects a moderate financial performance supported by a stable balance sheet, though growth in revenue and cash flow remains under pressure. Technical indicators show limited momentum, and a high P/E ratio suggests potential overvaluation.

About Ibstock Plc

Ibstock Plc is a leading UK-based manufacturer of building products and solutions. The company’s core offering includes clay and concrete materials, serving primarily the new-build residential construction sector. It continues to invest in innovation and operational improvements to position itself for long-term growth in the construction market.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

KEFI Gold and Copper plc (LSE:KEFI) has announced the issuance of 18,750,000 new ordinary shares following the exercise of broker warrants by Tavira Financial Ltd at a price of 0.60 pence per share. As a result of this transaction, the company’s total issued share capital will increase to 9,489,405,494 ordinary shares. This change will affect shareholder calculations under the FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

About KEFI Gold and Copper plc

KEFI Gold and Copper is a mineral exploration and development company focused on gold and copper assets. Its flagship asset is the Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia, which is expected to generate cash flow to support capital repayments, fund additional exploration, and deliver dividends to shareholders. The company also holds exploration interests in the Arabian-Nubian Shield, further expanding its growth potential in key mining regions.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Renalytix (LSE:RENX) has announced a $4 million boost to its balance sheet following the conversion of senior convertible bonds into ordinary shares. This transaction strengthens the company’s net asset position, lowers accrued interest costs, and improves its debt-to-equity ratio. The newly issued shares are scheduled to begin trading on AIM on 15 October 2025.

The move is part of Renalytix’s broader strategy to improve its financial stability amid ongoing challenges. While the company faces significant headwinds, including declining revenues, high operating losses, and solvency concerns, this bond conversion reflects strategic steps toward balance sheet optimization. However, technical and valuation indicators remain weak, which continues to weigh on the stock’s overall outlook.

About Renalytix

Renalytix is an AI-enabled in vitro diagnostics company focused on improving clinical management for patients with kidney disease. Its flagship product, kidneyintelX.dkd, is the only FDA-approved and Medicare-reimbursed prognostic test for early-stage risk assessment in chronic kidney disease. The test is currently commercially available in the United States and forms a core part of the company’s strategy to support earlier intervention and improved patient outcomes.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Anglo Asian Mining plc (LSE:AAZ) has announced that it will publish its Q3 2025 Production and Operations Review on 16 October 2025. The company will also host a live presentation for shareholders and prospective investors, led by Stephen Westhead and Bill Morgan. The event will offer stakeholders the opportunity to engage directly with company leadership and gain insights into its operational performance and strategic priorities.

The update comes as Anglo Asian Mining continues to advance its expansion program, including the recent start of production at the Gilar and Demirli mines—two key projects underpinning its long-term growth strategy and market positioning.

Although technical indicators show some positive momentum, the company’s outlook remains weighed down by weak financial performance, including pressure on revenue, profitability, and cash flow. Negative valuation metrics stemming from the lack of profitability and dividend yield further contribute to a cautious outlook.

About Anglo Asian Mining plc

Anglo Asian Mining is a copper and gold producer with a portfolio of high-quality production and exploration assets in Azerbaijan. In 2024, the company produced 377 tonnes of copper and 15,073 ounces of gold, followed by 1,188 tonnes of copper and 12,115 ounces of gold in the first half of 2025. Anglo Asian aims to become a mid-tier copper and gold producer by 2030, with a targeted annual copper production of 50,000–55,000 tonnes. This growth will be driven by bringing three new mines into production between 2027 and 2030, with copper as its core focus.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Premier Miton Group plc (LSE:PMI) has reported that its Assets under Management (AuM) fell to £10.3 billion as of 30 September 2025, compared with £10.7 billion in the same period last year. The company recorded net inflows of £325 million into its fixed income and absolute return strategies but saw £347 million in net outflows from its US and European equity funds, resulting in total net outflows of £191 million for the quarter.

Despite the decline, Premier Miton remains confident about its long-term growth potential. The firm has implemented leadership changes within its equity investment team to strengthen performance and has identified £2 million in annualized cost savings. In addition, the company is actively exploring strategic transaction opportunities to support future expansion.

The outlook for Premier Miton reflects a balance between strong cash flow generation and an attractive dividend yield, weighed against falling revenue, profitability challenges, and bearish technical signals. The stock’s elevated P/E ratio also raises valuation concerns.

About Premier Miton Group plc

Premier Miton is a UK-based asset management company offering a wide range of investment products, including equity, fixed income, multi-asset, and absolute return strategies. The firm emphasizes active management and aims to deliver strong, long-term investment outcomes for its clients across diverse markets.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or other professional advice. It should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.