The FTSE 100 closed Friday up 0.2% to 7663 points, lifted by oil-exposed stocks and closing out a second consecutive week in positive territory buoyed by slowing inflation and stronger-than-expected retail sales, while investors focus on next week calendar, IG senior market analyst Axel Rudolph says in a note. Rate decisions by the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank and Bank of Japan next week alongside flash PMIs, consumer sentiment, GDP and inflation data will likely add some volatility to the mix, he says. Hargreaves Lansdown shares rose 1.9% and outperformed the blue-chip index, followed by Haleon and Ashtead Group, up 1.5% and 1.35%, respectively. Heavy-weight Shell closed up 0.9% as Brent oil rises 1.1%.
COMPANIES NEWS:
FirstGroup FY 2024 Performance in Line So Far; To Launch Buyback Program of Up to GBP115 Mln
FirstGroup said Friday that its fiscal 2024 performance in the year-to-date has been in line with expectations.
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DP Poland 1H Sales Up 18% on Higher Order Count
DP Poland said Friday that first-half like-for-like sales rose 18% on year, supported by an 11% rise in order count, and that it expects its performance to continue improving as it remains optimistic about its outlook.
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THG Confirms Sale of Loss-Making Units for GBP4 Mln
THG said on Friday that it has sold THG OnDemand and ProBikeKit for a total consideration of around 4 million pounds ($5.1 million) following a conclusion of its strategic review of loss-making areas within the THG OnDemand division.
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Liontrust Asset Management Says Takeover Offer for GAM Holding Won't Be Increased
Liontrust Asset Management on Friday said its offer to buy Zurich-listed investment manager GAM Holding is final and won't be increased.
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BowLeven Says It is Unaware of Reasons for Share-Price Surge; Fundraise Planning Continues
BowLeven said Friday that it wasn't aware of any particular reason for the sudden increase in the price of its shares, and that planning for an additional equity raise continued.
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Petershill Partners' 2Q Aggregate Assets Under Management Rose
Petershill Partners on Friday said its aggregate assets under management rose over the second quarter of 2023 and kept its full-year guidance for raising organic gross fee-eligible AUM.
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Premier African Minerals Loans GBP1.7Mln From CEO
Premier African Minerals said Friday that it has entered into a loan facility agreement of up to 1.7 million pounds ($2.2 million) with Chief Executive George Roach.
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Keywords Studios Agrees on New $400 Mln Loan to Replace Previous EUR150 Mln Facility
Keywords Studios said Friday it had agreed on a $400 million loan and that this replaced its previous 150 million-euro ($167 million) unsecured multicurrency revolving credit line.
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Thruvision FY 2023 Pretax Loss Narrowed, Boosted by Order Intake From US Customer
Thruvision Group said Friday that its pretax loss narrowed in fiscal 2023 as revenue increased due to strong order intake from a U.S. customer.
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Star Phoenix AIM Shares Cancelled After Failing to Appoint Nominated Adviser
Star Phoenix Group said Friday that trading of its shares on AIM had been cancelled effective today after failing to appoint a nominated adviser.
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European Metals Holdings Agrees to EUR6 Mln Investment for Czech Lithium Project
European Metals Holdings said Friday that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will invest 6 million euros ($6.7 million) to support the development of its lithium project at Cinovec in the Czech Republic.
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DWF Group Shares Rise After Takeover Confirmation By Inflexion Private Equity
Shares in DWF Group rose on Friday after Inflexion Private Equity Partners confirmed it is buying the company in a recommended all cash offer valuing it at 342 million pounds ($440.1 million).
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LKQ, Uni-Select Merger Could Harm Competition in Car-Parts Supply, UK Regulator Says
The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said Friday that auto parts supplier LKQ's purchase of Uni-Select could reduce competition in the supply of car parts and garage equipment.
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MARKET TALK:
Renalytix's Middle-East Distribution Agreement Makes Sense
1216 GMT - Renalytix's Middle-East distribution agreement to deliver kidneyintelX.dkd--the diabetic kidney disease test which recently received approval for use in the U.S.--is a sensible strategy, Goodbody analyst Adam Barker says. The choice of a pharmaceutical distributor, Vector Pharma, with primary care contacts is uncommon because laboratory distributors don't normally call on primary-care practices, and moreover, the deal means a 30% increase on the initial market in the U.S. of 14 million patients Barker says. "Although we believe the U.S. is very much the focus market in the near-term, we wouldn't be surprised to see Renalytix take additional select opportunities to expand testing services globally in markets where the correct partners and infrastructure exist," he says. Shares are up 8.3% at 130 pence. (anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)
Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires;
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-21-23 1217ET
