Covid-19 has claimed another retail victim. Well, in fairness, Musica's days were numbered due to the shift to digital consumption of music, movies and games. Owner Clicks says the pandemic just accelerated the process, keeping customers away from its stores.

The health and beauty retailer released a trading update yesterday that may have been a bit below expectations, sending its shares lower. Not so Italtile, whose shares rose on the back of a strong trading statement. Like hardware retailers, it has benefitted from the DIY and home improvement trend of the past year.

Meanwhile, Anglo American updated the market on its production performance for 2020, as well as subsidiaries Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore.

As expected, Adapt IT's shares jumped following Huge Group's announcement late on Wednesday that it's made a general offer to take over the software and digital services company. Adapt IT has cautioned its shareholders to trade carefully in the meantime.

DealMakers' wraps up your final newsletter of the week with all the latest mergers and acquisitions news. And don't forget to take a look at Ingham Analytics' newest report if you want insight into what's driving US equity markets higher. More details down below.

Have a good weekend.

Stephen Gunnion

Managing Editor, InceConnect

The latest from Ingham Analytics

The market value of US stocks is now 185% of GDP, a record high which means the value of stocks exceeds GDP by a whopping $18 trillion says Ingham Analytics whilst the ratio of total market value to after-tax profits is at multi-year highs. With GameStop and AMC in the news "Elevator to the stratosphere?" provides timely insights on what's driving crazy markets.