Global Markets: Stocks in the United States were trending in red, with the broader Index S&P 500 fell off 22.47 points or 0.75% and quoting at 2,915.26, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index slumped 132.51 points or 0.50% and quoting at 26,246.68 and the technology benchmark index Nasdaq Composite plunged 82.01 points or 1.03% and trading at 7,954.23 respectively, at the time of writing.
Global News: Global markets were pushed down on Friday amid signs of further escalation of the trade dispute between the United States and China, as the US delayed its decision on permitting some trade between American companies and telecom equipment maker Huawei. The Labour Department reported that producer prices increased by 0.2 per cent in July while core inflation was down by 0.1 per cent. US Treasury yields fell on Friday after investors sought safe-haven US debt after the British economy unexpectedly contracted in Q2 and political woes in Italy rattled confidence in the eurozone. Gold touched its highest level in six years, reflecting a volatile week.
European Markets: The Londonâs broader equity benchmark index FTSE 100 traded at 32.05 points or 0.44% lower at 7,253.85, the FTSE 250 index snapped 45.46 points or 0.24% lower at 19,092.15, and the FTSE All-Share Index ended 15.79 points or 0.40% lower at 3,965.54 respectively. Another European equity benchmark index STOXX 600 ended at 371.56, down by 3.15 points or 0.84 per cent.
European News: For the first time since 2012, the British economy shrank as GDP data reported a contraction of 0.2 per cent in the second quarter in comparison to the prior quarter, which was below projections by analysts. Manufacturing fell after early 2019 stockpiling and business investment resumed its decline, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to act. Shrinking economy alarmed the investors, leading to a fall in British government bond yields as the market sought safety in sovereign bonds and sterling reached its lowest level in more than two years. Banking shares were weighed down by worries about Italy, where its deputy prime minister sought snap elections, sending the FTSE 100 lower on Friday.
London Stock Exchange (LSE)
Top Performers Stocks: KIE (KIER GROUP PLC), FCH (FUNDING CIRCLE HOLDINGS PLC), and RDL (RDL REALISATION PLC) rose by 20.36 per cent, 16.64 per cent and 8.66 per cent respectively.
Top Laggards Stocks: OTB (ON THE BEACH GROUP PLC), ARW (ARROW GLOBAL GROUP PLC), and EVR (EVRAZ PLC) reduced by 14.17 per cent, 10.16 per cent and 8.87 per cent respectively.
FTSE 100 Index

 FTSE 100 Index Chart: 5-days Price Performance (as on August-09-2019), after the market closed. (Source: Thomson Reuters)
Top Risers Stocks: WPP (WPP PLC), NXT (NEXT PLC), and SGROÂ (SEGRO PLC) rose by 7.21%, 2.70%, and 1.84% respectively.
Top Fallers Stocks: EVRÂ (EVRAZ PLC), ANTOÂ (ANTOFAGASTA PLC), and NMC (NMC HEALTH PLC) reduced by 8.87 per cent, 4.65 per cent and 3.44 per cent respectively.
Top Three Active Volume Stocks: LLOYDS BANKING GROUP PLC (LLOY), BP PLC (BP), and Vodafone Group PLC (VOD).
Top Performers Sectors: Healthcare (+0.84%), Consumer Cyclicals (+0.36%), and Utilities (+0.05%).
Top Fallers Sectors: Basic Materials (-1.98%), Financials (-1.26%), and Telecommunications Services (-0.78%).
Foreign Exchange and Fixed Income
FX Rates*: GBP/USD and EUR/GBP were trading at 1.2054 and 0.9295 respectively.
10-Year Bond Yields*: US 10Y Treasury and UK 10Y Bond yields were exchanging at 1.736% and 0.488% respectively.
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*At the time of writing