The FTSE 100 will open at 8am. Among the companies with reports and trading updates today are Boohoo, Evoke and British American Tobacco. Read the Friday 18 October Business Live blog below.
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Gold at record high above $2,700/oz
Gold has breached the $2,700-per-ounce level for the first time ever, as US election jitters and simmering Middle East tensions boost safe-haven demand.
Also aided by global interest rate cuts, spot gold is currently teading at $2,706.30, having added 0.6 per cent this morning and 2 per cent over the last week.