MARKET REPORT

THE pound put on a resilient showing to close higher despite the Prime Minister telling businesses they should be ready for a “no deal” on Brexit following negotiations with the EU.

The pound rose by 0.24 per cent versus the US dollar at 1.293 and was up 0.16 per cent against the euro at 1.104.

Meanwhile, UK- based multinational firms had a strong performance despite the strengthening pound, helping the FTSE 100 to rebound from a dire session on Thursday.

London’s top flight closed 87.06 points higher at 5,919.58 at the end of trading yesterday.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Rolls- Royce, up 26.8p at 221.9p; Smurfit Kappa, up 154p at 3,220p; and Just Eat Takeaway, up 382p at 9,980p. Biggest fallers were Land Securities, down 15.3p at 525.2p; Barratt Developments, down 13.2p at 536.8p; and BT Group, down 1.8p at 100.4p.