Buy-to-let lending topped £5bn in Q2, says CML

Hong Kong shares end up, China coal counters soar

HONG KONG | Fri Aug 9, 2013 9:08am BST
Aug 9 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares ended their worst week in nearly two months on a positive note on Friday, helped by China coal counters on hopes of rising physical prices and solid China data for fixed asset investment and factory output.

The Hang Seng Index closed up 0.7 percent at 21,807.6 points, while the China Enterprises Index of the leading Chinese listings in Hong Kong climbed 0.4 percent.

On the week, they slid 1.7 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively - their worst since the week that ended June 21.

GBP Trade Balance -8.1B -8.4B -8.5B

UK trade deficit shrinks more than expected in June

LONDON | Fri Aug 9, 2013 9:35am BST
(Reuters) - The deficit in Britain's trade in goods narrowed more than expected in June to its lowest level in nearly a year as exports picked up, giving a boost to hopes for a broader economic recovery.

The Office for National Statistics also said on Friday that construction output grew more in the second quarter than first thought but said the increase had no impact, to one decimal place, on its estimate for economic growth in the period.

Britain's goods trade deficit shrank to 8.082 billion pounds from 8.668 billion pounds in May. Economists had forecast a gap of 8.50 billion pounds.

FTSE100 modestly higher midday on miners' support

CAD Employment Change -39.4K 6.2K -0.4K

CAD Unemployment Rate 7.2% 7.1% 7.1%

FTSE100 ends comfortably higher thanks to the miners

Hope you all have a great weekend!

G.