The FTSE 100 closed Wednesday up 0.66%, as positive numbers from the likes of Lloyds Banking, Reckitt Benckiser and Smurfit Kappa helped push the index to its highest levels in six weeks. European markets in general performed positively today, helped by broader resilience in the tech sector after last night's strong numbers from Microsoft Corp. and Google owner Alphabet Inc., says CMC Markets UK chief market analyst Michael Hewson. Elsewhere, European natural gas prices hit four-month highs as gas flows through Nord Stream 1 were dialed back, falling to 20% of capacity, Mr. Hewson says in a research note.


 
Companies News: 

Fresnillo Backs Guidance as 2Q Production, Juanicipio Commissioning on Track

Fresnillo PLC on Wednesday reiterated 2022 guidance as its second quarter production was in line with expectations and the Juanicipio plant will start commissioning soon.

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Smurfit Kappa 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit rose on higher revenue in the first half of the year, and that its performance in the period has set a strong foundation for the remainder of 2022.

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Lloyds 2Q Pretax Profit Rose Ahead of Views, Outlook for 2022 Enhanced

Lloyds Banking Group PLC reported on Wednesday a slight increase in pretax profit for the second quarter of 2022, which came in ahead of market views, and said that it has strengthened its outlook for the whole year.

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GSK 2Q Operating Profit Slipped Despite Higher Sales; Raises 2022 Outlook

GSK PLC said Wednesday that its second quarter operating profit fell from the previous year though sales grew, and raised its outlook for 2022.

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Haleon 2Q Organic Revenue Boosted by Portfolio Strength, Innovation

Haleon PLC on Wednesday reported a 7.5% organic rise in second-quarter revenue, which it said reflected the strength of its portfolio, continued innovation and excellent commercial execution across its markets, and said that full-year growth is now expected to be 6%-8%.

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British American Tobacco 1H Pretax Profit Fell Despite Revenue Boost From New Categories

British American Tobacco PLC said Wednesday that first-half pretax profit fell on higher expenses, despite a robust increase of new categories revenue.

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Unite Group Posts Higher 1H Earnings, Raises Guidance for 2022-23 Academic Year

Unite Group PLC on Wednesday reported higher earnings for the first half of 2022 and raised its outlook for the 2022-23 academic year.

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Marston's: Like-For-Like Sales Down 2% on 2019 Due to Trading Restrictions, Consumer Sentiment

Marston's PLC said Wednesday that like-for-like sales for the 42-week period to July 23 were down 2% on 2019, reflecting the reintroduction of trading restrictions in December and January and the hit to consumer sentiment in the first half.

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Paragon Banking Backs FY 2022 Guidance After Strong 3Q

Paragon Banking Group PLC said Wednesday that its performance in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was strong and that it continues to back its guidance for the whole year.

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Reckitt Benckiser Swung to 1H Pretax Profit, Upgrades Revenue Growth View

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC reported Wednesday a swing to pretax profit for the first half of the year and upgraded its revenue growth expectations for the full year.

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Rio Tinto 1H Profit Falls 28%, Market Environment Worsens

Rio Tinto PLC said its first-half profit fell by 28% as iron-ore prices weren't as strong and it grappled with rising costs, prompting a sharp cut in its midyear payout to shareholders.

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Everyman Media 1H Revenue, Adjusted Ebitda Recover to Prepandemic Levels

Everyman Media Group PLC said Wednesday that revenue and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the first half rose compared with 2019 after an increased number of venues, strong admissions and higher average spends.

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Anglo American's De Beers Reports Diamond Sales of $630 Mln for Cycle 6

Anglo American PLC on Wednesday reported revenue of $630 million for the sixth diamond sales cycle of 2022 which ran from July 11 to July 26.

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Wizz Air 1Q Pretax Loss Widened on Higher Costs

Wizz Air Holdings PLC said Wednesday that its pretax loss widened for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 after booking higher costs, and that it was affected by lingering Covid-19 restrictions and the effect of the war in Ukraine.

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FirstGroup Says FY 2023 Performance in Line With Views So Far

FirstGroup PLC said Wednesday that its fiscal 2023 performance in the year-to-date has been in line with the board's expectations.

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WH Ireland FY 2022 Pretax Profit Fell Sharply

W.H. Ireland Group PLC reported on Wednesday a significant decline in pretax profit for fiscal 2022 but said its aim is to return to sustainable profitability.

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Motorpoint Group 1Q Revenue Rose on Strong Growth, Vehicle Price Inflation

Motorpoint Group PLC said Wednesday that first-quarter revenue rose around 30% after it booked strong growth supported by vehicle price inflation.

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Parsley Box Shares Drop After Lowered 2022 Guidance, 1H Revenue Fall

Shares in Parsley Box Group PLC dropped 19% on Wednesday morning after the company lowered full-year guidance and said first-half revenue fell.

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Ibstock 1H Pretax Profit Rose, Expects to Beat 2022 Earnings Views

Ibstock PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit for the first half of 2022 rose due to a strong performance in the period, and that it expects adjusted Ebitda for the year to be ahead of views.

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Nichols 1H Pretax Profit Rose on Higher Revenue, Raises Dividend

Nichols PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit for the first half rose on increased revenue, and that it raised its dividend payout despite inflationary pressures.

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Provident Financial 1H Pretax Profit Fell; CET 1 Ratio Weaker

Provident Financial PLC on Wednesday reported a decline in pretax profit for the first half of 2022 and a weaker balance sheet, though it said it is confident about its outlook.

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Lancashire Holdings 1H Pretax Profit Rose; Losses From Ukraine War at Lower End of Guidance

Lancashire Holdings Ltd. said Wednesday that first-half pretax profit rose, and that net losses stemming from the war in Ukraine were toward the lower end of guidance.


 
Market Talk: 

Imperial Brands Shares Look More Attractive Than BAT's

0906 GMT - Shares in British American Tobacco look less attractive than those of rival Imperial Brands, Panmure Gordon says. BAT's stock falls 0.1% after it reported lower first-half pretax profit and reported profit from operations, despite strongly higher revenue from new products such as vaping and oral tobacco. "We could spend ages fixating on revenue growth from new categories, but we will let others do that," Panmure Gordon analyst Rae Maile says in a note. "The shares are a buy, but Imperial Brands (buy) is much cheaper, has much more gearing to buybacks when they start and a much easier story to tell," he says. Imperial Brands shares rise 0.3%. (philip.waller@wsj.com)

Smurfit Kappa's Strong 2Q Beat Prompts Forecast Upgrades

0902 GMT - Smurfit Kappa's 2Q Ebitda of EUR660 million represented a 65% rise on year and materially exceeded analysts' expectations of EUR510 million, Goodbody's David O'Brien says in a note. This marks an exceptional performance in the context of the cost backdrop for the packaging company and highlights the strength of its integrated model, the analyst says. The Irish brokerage envisages upgrading its 2022 Ebitda forecasts for Smurfit Kappa to EUR2.15 billion, which compares with consensus estimates of EU2.05 billion. "Although wider equity market uncertainties will clearly prevail, Smurfit Kappa is navigating every challenge presented to it which is not reflected in the share price," O'Brien says. Goodbody rates the stock buy. Shares are up 5.4% at 2,848 pence. (anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

07-27-22 1233ET