Investing.com -- British stocks closed higher on Friday, wrapping up a busy corporate earnings week, with major U.K. firms like Shell (LON:SHEL), NatWest, and Standard Chartered posting updates.
The blue-chip index FTSE 100 gained 1.1%, while the British pound was flat against the dollar at around 1.3280.
After the May 1 Labour Day holiday, DAX index in Germany rose 2.6%, while the CAC 40 in France gained 2.3%.
Shell Q1 earnings surge, announces $3.5 bln buyback
Shell PLC’s (AS:SHEL) shares rose 2% after reporting a surge in first-quarter adjusted earnings, reaching $5.6 billion, an increase of over 50% compared to the previous quarter.
Shell also announced a new $3.5 billion share buyback program, marking the 14th consecutive quarter of repurchases of at least $3 billion.
Standard Chartered Q1 profit rises 10% on strong banking performance
Standard Chartered PLC (LON:STAN) posted a 10% increase in pretax profit for the first quarter, supported by robust results in its wealth management and investment banking divisions, even as it faced increased credit impairments and uncertainty around trade tariffs.
The company lender reported pretax earnings of $2.10 billion for the quarter ending March 31, up from $1.91 billion in the same period last year.
Pearson confirms 2025 guidance
Pearson PLC (LON:PSON) confirmed it is on course to meet its annual targets, posting slight sales growth in Q1 and anticipating stronger performance in the second half of the year.
The company anticipates that both its full-year sales growth and adjusted operating profit for 2025 will align with market expectations.
NatWest returns to profit in Q1 on higher income, lower costs
NatWest Group PLC (LON:NWG) reported a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2025, achieving earnings of £59 million.
This performance was driven by growth in income across all key business segments and a reduction in costs, according to the company.
The bank’s total income for the three months ending March 31 increased to £394 million, up from £303 million in the previous quarter.
Rotork reports strong Q1 order growth
Rotork PLC (LON:ROR) posted robust order intake growth for the first quarter of 2025, with mid-single-digit organic growth fueled by strong year-over-year results across all business segments.
Irenic Capital reportedly builds stake in SSP, shares surge
Shares of SSP Group PLC (LON:SSPG) rose over 3% on Friday after report that activist investor Irenic Capital Management is increasing its stake in the company.
The investor plans to urge SSP Group to improve its profitability, potentially paving the way for a private equity acquisition, according to a report by the Financial Times on Thursday.
RBC Downgrades Watches of Switzerland
RBC Capital has downgraded Watches Of Switzerland Group PLC (LON:WOSG) to Sector Perform from Outperform, citing concerns over softening demand for Swiss watches in FY26 and potential risks tied to U.S. tariffs.
The broker also flagged challenges in meeting the company’s longer-range FY28 targets and cut its revenue and EBIT estimates by 6% and 12%, respectively.
RBC’s revised price target stands at 375p, around 13% below consensus.
Eurozone inflation steady in April
Eurozone headline inflation held steady at 2.2% in April, in line with market expectations, signaling economic stability in the region.
However, core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, rose from 2.4% to 2.7%. This increase was driven entirely by a jump in services inflation, which climbed from 3.5% to 3.9%.
BoE expected to cut rates
Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) on Friday projected a 25 basis point rate cut by the Bank of England, adding that Monetary Policy Committee members Dhingra and Mann may favor a steeper 50 basis point reduction.
A day earlier, BofA analysts expressed a similar outlook, forecasting a 25 basis point cut to 4.25% with an 8-1 vote, and Dhingra expected to be the lone voice calling for a more substantial cut.