Market report

POSITIVE news that the UK Government aims to vaccine all under 50s by May did enough to push the pound up as markets closed on Friday.

But the strong pound and underwhelming jobs data from the US failed to liven up the FTSE 100, with the internationally focused index closing the day down 14.39 points, or 0.22%, at 6,503.72.

By comparison, the FTSE 250 index of more UK-focused firms enjoyed a solid boost, up 1.24%, as traders hoped the news could see an end to lockdown restrictions and economic recovery over the horizon.

The pound was up 0.32% against the dollar as markets closed at 1.372. It fell 0.29% against the euro to 1.1395.

In company news, Whitbread shareholders enjoyed the news that the UK Government would be mass booking hotels to launch quarantine restrictions for travellers arriving to the country. The Premier Inn owner’s shares closed the day up 160p, or 5.13%, at 3,280p.

Power generator specialist Aggreko also said it was being eyed up for a takeover, with a consortium made up of UK-based private equity firm TDR Capital and infrastructure investment manager I Squared Capital US offering 880p a share. The deal was not ruled out by Aggreko and shares closed the day up 209p, or 33%, at 844p.

Online travel firm On The Beach warned demand for summer holidays has been “very weak” as customers remain cautious despite the rollout of vaccines.

The London-listed firm said it expects booking demand to be low until “restrictions are lifted and vaccine deployment is more widespread, both in the UK and our major travel destinations”. Shares were flat at 355p.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Whitbread up 160p at 3,280p; Glencore up 11.8p at 259.2p; Natwest up 6.5p at 170.35p; British Land up 16.2p at 458.9p and Pershing Square up 85p at 2,570p.

The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were Johnson Matthey down 127p at 2,882p; Experian down 83p at 2,637p; DCC down 166p at 5,700p; National Grid down 20.8p at 851.4p and Aviva down 8p at 341.8p.