Market Report
Escape Hunt describes 'encouraging' trading since reopening
Escape rooms operator Escape Hunt described trading at its UK owner-operated sites as “encouraging” on Thursday, since reopening on 12 July.
NWF Group trading in line amid Covid and Brexit uncertainty
Fuel, food and feed distributor NWF Group said on Thursday that trading in its first quarter had been consistent with its own expectations, with net debt reflecting the usual seasonal fluctuations.
Altona to raise £0.5m to fund rare earth elements strategy
Mining exploration company Altona Energy said on Thursday that it is looking to raise up to £0. 5m to fund its new rare earth element strategy.
London midday: Stocks pare losses as investors eye Sunak
London stocks had pared losses by midday on Thursday to trade a little lower amid ongoing concerns about rising Covid-19 infections and further restrictions, as investors eyed details of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s new measures to replace the furlough scheme.
Asia report: Markets fall as Korea tensions heat up
Markets in Asia finished lower across the board on Thursday, following a technology-led sell-off on Wall Street overnight, and as tensions between the Koreas flared up.
German business sentiment improves but momentum slowing
German business sentiment continued to improve in September but the recovery is slowing, according to a survey released by the Ifo Institute on Thursday.
National Express trading 'slightly above' previous guidance
National Express said on Thursday that it had traded “slightly above” its previously guided base case ince the half-year, which had assumed revenue to be around 50% of pre-Covid-19 expectations until the end of August.
Indivior to axe jobs, restructure as it looks to cut costs
Opioid addiction treatment maker Indivior outlined plans on Thursday to reduce costs through job cuts and restructuring, as it looks to support long-term growth ambitions and protect its financial and operational flexibility in response to the pandemic.
Europe open: Shares lower on fading US stimulus hopes
European shares started Thursday’s session in the red after a sharp fall on Wall Street overnight on fading US stimulus hopes as investors waited on new fiscal measures from the UK government.
London open: Stocks fall amid Covid worries; all eyes on Sunak
London stocks fell on Thursday amid ongoing concerns about rising Covid-19 infections and further restrictions, as investors awaited details of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s new measures to replace the furlough scheme.
Cineworld swings to first-half loss due to Covid-19 closures
Cineworld said on Thursday that it swung to a loss in the first half after its cinemas were forced to close in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and warned it would need to raise additional liquidity if its cinemas were shut again.
Pets at Home FY profit seen ahead of expectations
Full-year underlying pre-tax profit at Pets at Home is set to be ahead of current market expectations of £73m as sales momentum returns across the business.
Mitchells & Butlers sales slide, National Express trading above previous guidance
London open The FTSE 100 is expected to open 68 points lower on Thursday, having closed up 1. 2% at 5,899. 26 on Wednesday.
London pre-open: Stocks to fall as Sunak set to reveal support package
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Thursday amid ongoing worries about rising Covid-19 infections, as investors await details on the measures Chancellor Rishi Sunak will implement to replace the furlough scheme.
Thursday newspaper round-up: Ocado, City shutdown, insurers
Ocado could make up to 200 workers at its Hatfield call centre redundant as it shifts the roles to Sunderland in an apparent cost-cutting move at a time when the online grocer is recording record profits. One call centre worker involved in a 45-day redundancy consultation process which started this week described the cuts as “quite brutal” for staff who had worked throughout lockdown as Ocado responded to a huge surge in orders. - Guardian .
US close: Wall Street closes lower amid Covid consternation
Wall Street trading closed weaker on Wednesday. amid heightened restrictions to stem Covid-19 cases in Europe and an ongoing stalemate in negotiations for a second stimulus bill.
Europe close: Stocks give back early gains weighed down by Covid concerns
A bounce in European stocks had largely petered out by the end of trading on Tuesday despite the stiff losses sustained over the preceding three sessions and hampered by a small tightening of Covid-19 restrictions in the UK and PMI readings in the Eurozone area showing stalling demand.