FTSE 100 Rises as China Regulatory Concerns Ease

The FTSE 100 rises 0.9% to 7098 points following gains in Asian stocks as concerns over China's regulatory crackdown ease. China on Sunday called for closer co-operation with the U.S. after the U.S. securities regulator tightened controls on Chinese groups seeking to sell shares on Wall Street. "We see China's move as further evidence that it continues to value capital markets and foreign financing," UBS Global Wealth Management analysts say. HSBC shares rise 1.6% after the bank said first-half pre-tax profit more than doubled from a year ago. Barclays gains 2.5% as the bank starts a share buyback on Monday. SSE climbs 1.8% after the utility agreed to sell its stake in gas distribution operator Scotia Gas Networks.


 
Companies News: 

Dialight Chairman Steps Down; Karen Oliver Named Successor

Dialight PLC said Monday that Chairman David Blood has decided to step down from this role and that non-executive director Karen Oliver has been appointed to the role.

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Directa Plus Subsidiary Qualifies for EUR700,000 in Italian Government Loans

Directa Plus PLC said Monday that its Italian subsidiary, Directa Plus SpA, has qualified for 700,000 euros ($830,795) in loans under the Italian government's Covid-19 recovery plan.

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Trans-Siberian Gold 2Q Revenue Fell on Quarter

Trans-Siberian Gold PLC on Monday reported that its revenue fell slightly in the second quarter and remains well below a year earlier.

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Allianz Warns of Risk to Earnings From Structured Alpha Funds Investigations

Allianz SE said future earnings could be hit by current investigations into its Structured Alpha funds that have been linked to investor losses during the coronavirus-related market downturn early last year.

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Dialight Swung to 1H Pretax Profit

Dialight PLC on Monday reported a swing to pretax profit for the first half of the year on higher total orders and revenue.

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U.K. SPAC Enters Into Binding Sale, Purchase Agreement With Hellenic Dynamics

U.K. SPAC PLC said Monday it has entered into a binding sale-and-purchase agreement with the shareholders of Hellenic Dynamics SA--a medical cannabis cultivation business--in relation to the acquisition of 100% of its issued share capital for a consideration of 45.2 million pounds ($62.8 million).

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Kazatomprom Says 2Q Uranium Production Rose; Reaffirms 2021 Guidance

NAC Kazatomprom JSC reported that its uranium production, sales and realized prices rose in the second quarter from a year earlier, and reaffirmed 2021 guidance.

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Global Resources Investment Trust Raises GBP599,201

Global Resources Investment Trust PLC said Monday that it has raised 599,201 pounds ($832,949) via a placing of convertible loan notes to new and existing investors and that director Stephen Roberts has resigned from the board.

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UK Watchdog Is Mulling Auction Technologies' Acquisition of LiveAuctioneers

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said Monday that it is considering whether Auction Technology Group PLC's $525 million acquisition of LiveAuctioneers Worldwide Inc. raises competition issues and has invited interested parties to offer comment ahead of a formal probe.

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XP Power 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose

XP Power Ltd. reported on Monday a rise in pretax profit and revenue for the first half of the year, and said the board expects to post full-year performance above market expectations.

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UK Oil & Gas Shares Fall on Delay at Basur-3 Well in Turkey

Shares in UK Oil & Gas PLC dropped Monday after the company warned of an unforeseen delay at the Basur-3 appraisal well in Turkey, which is operated by Aladdin Middle East.

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Tertiary Minerals Shares Rise on Deal to Acquire Copper Licenses in Zambia

Shares in Tertiary Minerals PLC jumped Monday after it entered into an option agreement with Mwashia Resources Ltd. to acquire up to a 90% interest in five copper exploration licenses in Zambia.

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88 Energy Nonexecutive Chairman Michael Evans Retires, Philip Byrne Named

88 Energy Ltd. said Monday that Nonexecutive Chairman Michael Evans is retiring with immediate effect after seven years in the role, and will be replaced by Philip Byrne.

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D4t4 Solutions Appoints Ashoni Mehta as CFO

D4t4 Solutions PLC said Monday that it has appointed Ashoni Mehta as its new chief financial officer, effective Sept. 1.


 
Market Talk: 

HSBC's Cost Cutting Efforts May Mitigate Rising Tech Expenses

HSBC Holdings says its cost reduction program could help mitigate its rising technology investment costs. The lender spent about $3.0 billion on technology in 1H, up 4% on year, as "digitize at scale" is one of its four pillars of strategy. Technological improvement will reduce cost base and make customer experience better, it says, and expects adjusted operating expenses for 2021 to be broadly in line with 2020. HSBC aims to expand its digital service that allows international customers to hold and send funds in various currencies without paying fees to more countries this year, having already rolled it out in the U.S., Singapore and the UAE.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; +44-20-7842-931

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-02-21 0448ET