Stock markets retreat as nervous investors pocket week's gains

Stocks are on target for strong weekly gains. [AFP / JEFF KOWALSKY]

Stock markets on both sides of the Atlantic retreated Friday as investors banked profits from the week's rally sparked by massive government and central bank action to protect economies from the coronavirus.

"Today's sell off is most probably a consequence of three days of strong gains and a paring of risk ahead of the weekend," said Michael Hewson at CMC Markets UK.