International Consolidated Airlines Group (LON: ICAG) SA has announced a €1 billion (£830 million) buyback after the British Airways owner grew profit last year. Post-tax profit climbed 2.9% to €2.7 billion in the year to December 31, the airline reported Friday, as revenue took off 9.0% to reach €32.1 billion.
World shares and U.S. futures are mostly higher despite a rocky session on Wall Street after Canada and Mexico were hit by 25% U.S. tariffs that took effect on Tuesday.
Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during morning trading on February 19, 2025 in New York City. This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets. European stock markets are likely to open flat on Friday after a sell-off on Wall Street as earnings remain in focus for investors.
The UK's benchmark FTSE 100 share index posted its highest close on record on Friday, buoyed by positive corporate earnings including from British Airways parent IAG, while a slump in Morgan Advanced Materials after a bleak outlook weighed on the mid-cap index.
London’s FTSE 100 rose on Friday as hopes increased of a potential trade deal between the UK and the US, following a week of crunch talks in Washington. London’s top stock market index was up 53.53 points, or 0.61%, to end the day at 8,809.74.