StockMarketWire.com - UK stocks fell 1.0% in early trading on Friday after global trade tensions were escalated by a Donald Trump threat to impose new tariffs on Mexico and China released disappointing manufacturing data.

At 0852, the FTSE 100 was down 74.48 points at 7.143.68.

Legal & General slipped 1.0% on announcing that it agreed to sell its general insurance business to Allianz Holdings for at least £242m.

Infrastructure group Balfour Beatty shed 0.6% despite it being selected, in a joint venture, to deliver the $1.7bn Interstate 635 LBJ East road project in Texas.

Online gambling group Stride Gaming jumped 23% after it received a £114.5m takeover approach from Rank Group pitched a 151p per share. Rank shares gained 0.4%.

Eastern European focused budget carrier Wizz Air descended 4.2%, despite booking a 6% rise in full-year net profit, as it foreshadowed another 'very challenging' operating environment in the year ahead.

Media and entertainment business Time Out gained 1.1% as it prepared to open a new food market in New York to the public on Friday.

Aluminium and copper producer EN+ Group fell 1.8% as its first-quarter sales and profits were hit by the ongoing US-China trade war.

Argentina-focused Patagonia Gold jumped 13% on news that it had agreed to be acquired by Canada's Hunt Mining in a reverse takeover deal for around £17.2m.

Out-of-hospital care group Totally slumped 11% after it announced a discounted share issue to fund the acquisition of NHS urgent care provider Greenbrook Healthcare for £11.5m.

Legal and professional services business Gordon Dadds fell 0.6% on revealing that it had changed the brand name of its legal businesses to 'Ince' following an internal review.

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