6pm Markets Update
Friday, 6 November 2009 17:58European stock markets were generally stronger at the close, with the London FTSE 100 gaining 0.3% to end the week at 5,143.
In Paris, the CAC was essentially flat, dipping 0.04% to 3,707, while in Frankfurt the DAX added 0.1% to reach 5,488. Markets had fallen back in the afternoon after US employers cut a deeper-than-expected 190,000 jobs in October, driving the unemployment rate to 10.2%, the highest in over 26 years.
However, some of the sting was taken out of the report, after job losses for August and September were revised to show 91,000 fewer jobs were lost than previously reported, hinting at some improvement in labour market conditions.
RBS finished up 5.25% to 36.85p after reporting a smaller operating loss of £1.5 billion in Q3. BA's H1 results were also well received, as it gained 6.7% to 196.9p.
In Dublin, the ISEQ finished the day up 0.2% to 2,972, with banks stronger. AIB led the way, adding 1.9% to €1.92. Aer Lingus gained 5.6% to 56 cent after October traffic figures which showed its load factor holding up. Rival Ryanair also moved up 2.1% to €2.91.
In New York, Wall Street stocks pared early losses brought about by the jobs news. By 5.50pm, the Dow Jones was up marginally to 10,008, while the Nasdaq followed suit by standing slightly higher at 2,105. The static nature of business contrasted yesterday's powerful rally of more than 2% for blue chips.
Earlier in Asia, Tokyo's Nikkei closed 0.7% higher at 9,789. The Hang Seng added 1.6% to 21,830.
