On the economic front, Britons continued to display caution last month as they added to their stash of excess savings, although the opposite was true of corporates, according to the latest money and credit data from the Bank of England. 'However, oil and gas stocks remain in favour after multi-year highs for ExxonMobil and Chevron profits.' 'In the US, Apple and Amazon earnings have helped drive markets lower. 'European markets are on the back foot as a jump in eurozone inflation highlights the growing pressure that could build on the ECB,' said IG senior market analyst Joshua Mahony. Sterling was in a mixed state, last trading 0.78% weaker against the dollar at $1.3682, while it strengthened 0.43% on the euro to €1.1857. (Sharecast News) - London stocks closed below the waterline on Friday, after sentiment got off on the wrong foot following disappointing earnings from Apple and Amazon in the US overnight.0 The FTSE 100 ended the session down 0.16% at 7,237.57, and the FTSE 250 was 0.4% weaker at 23,106.61.
