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Pound bolstered by Mark Carney rate comments | Pound bolstered by Mark Carney rate comments |
(about 2 hours later) | |
(Close): The pound has remained strong against the euro after Bank of England governor Mark Carney said UK rates could rise "at the turn of this year". | |
In a speech on Thursday, Mr Carney said rates were set to rise over the next three years. | In a speech on Thursday, Mr Carney said rates were set to rise over the next three years. |
The pound, which had hit its highest rate against the euro since 2007 on Thursday, rose again on Friday, pushing through the €1.44 level. | |
On the stock market, the FTSE 100 index closed down 0.3% at 6,775.08. | |
Shares in Marks and Spencer fell 1.2% after it said the head of its clothing business was quitting. | |
John Dixon is leaving after 26 years at the retailer having been given a chance to become a chief executive elsewhere. | John Dixon is leaving after 26 years at the retailer having been given a chance to become a chief executive elsewhere. |
Mr Dixon led the general merchandise division, covering clothing and homewares, which M&S has been struggling to turn around. | Mr Dixon led the general merchandise division, covering clothing and homewares, which M&S has been struggling to turn around. |
The biggest faller on the FTSE 100 was Royal Mail, which dropped 3.5% after regulator Ofcom issued a discussion document regarding the company's efficiency. | |
Shares in gambling firm 888 Holdings rose 8.6% after it announced it had agreed to buy rival Bwin.party in a deal valued at £898m. | |
Restaurant Group, the company which owns brands such as Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito and Garfunkel's, saw its shares drop 3.3% after Nomura cut its rating on the company to "neutral" from "buy". | |
Nomura cited the impact of the new living wage announced last week in the Budget, saying it would affect margins for the next five years. | Nomura cited the impact of the new living wage announced last week in the Budget, saying it would affect margins for the next five years. |