The FTSE 100 index closed Friday slightly down 0.03% to 7556 amid mixed trading in global markets after an unexpectedly robust U.S. labor market data for November and hopes of the ease of pandemic-related restrictions in China. Primark owner Associated British Foods rose 5% and was the index's top performer after being upgraded by Goldman Sachs. "Goldman Sachs cited a weaker U.S. dollar as being a benefit to ABF and H&M, with Morgan Stanley citing a challenging retail environment on the rest of the sector due to rising costs and weaker disposable incomes," CMC Markets chief analyst Michael Hewson said in a note. Among the other top performers, Rolls-Royce bounced 3.8% after slipping 4.4% a day before. Intermediate Capital led the falls, down 2%.
Companies News:
Wizz Air Passenger Numbers Rose Significantly on Year in November
Wizz Air Holdings PLC said Friday that it carried significantly more passengers in November on year.
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Premier Miton FY 2022 Pretax Profit Fell as Assets Under Management Declined
Premier Miton Group PLC on Friday reported a fall in its full-year pretax profit as investors' reluctance to commit new investments in an uncertain market hit its assets under management, but said it has seen encouraging signs of recovery since the end of the period.
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Light Science Sees FY 2022 Revenue, Pretax Loss Missing Market Views
Light Science Technologies Holdings PLC said Friday that it expects to miss market forecasts for fiscal 2022 revenue and for pretax loss to be wider than consensus expectations, as clients face macroeconomic pressure.
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MetalNRG Gets Shareholder Request to Call Meeting to Remove Chairman, CEO
MetalNRG PLC said Friday it has received a request from shareholder Edward Spencer to call a general meeting seeking the removal of Chairman Christopher Latilla-Campbell and Chief Executive Rolf Gerritsen.
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Mind Gym 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose on Favorable Currency Effects
Mind Gym PLC said Friday that pretax profit and revenue rose in the first half of fiscal 2023, boosted by favorable foreign-exchange rates.
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Goldplat Sells Remaining Shareholding in Caracal Gold
Goldplat PLC said Friday that it has sold its remaining shares in Caracal Gold PLC for an undisclosed sum.
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ScS Group CFO Chris Muir to Step Down
ScS Group PLC said on Friday that Chris Muir will be stepping down as chief financial officer but will remain with the company to work his 12-month notice.
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ASOS Interim CFO Katy Mecklenburgh to Step Down, Become Softcat CFO
ASOS PLC on Friday said its interim Chief Financial Officer Katy Mecklenburgh will step down from the role to become Softcat PLC's CFO after working her six-month notice.
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HeiQ Acquires Chem-Tex Laboratories for $2.5 Mln in U.S. Expansion
HeiQ PLC on Friday said it acquired North Carolina-based specialty chemicals company Chem-Tex Laboratories for $2.5 million as it seeks to expand in the U.S.
Market Talk:
ASOS Interim CFO's Premature Exit Seen as Negative
1130 GMT - ASOS's interim CFO Katy Mecklenburgh departure just over a month after taking the position shows that the company is having a "year from hell," AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould says in a note, with shares are down 73% in the year to date. The declaration adds further pressure on the fast-fashion online retailer to find a permanent replacement and increases the somewhat chaotic feel that is surrounding the business, he adds. (michael.susin@wsj.com)
Cineworld Shares Rise on Report About Possible Vue Takeover
1119 GMT - Cineworld shares rose in early trading Friday after a report in the Times of London suggested peer Vue International was eyeing it for acquisition ahead of a possible initial public offering. The FTSE 250 cinema chain could be targeted by Vue, after founder Tim Richards confirmed the company was ready to seize upon any opportunities that present themselves, the Times reports. Vue is the third largest cinema chain in the U.K. and Ireland behind Odeon and Cineworld, with 91 venues in the U.K. and Ireland. Cineworld is currently in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings that have given it access to around $785 million from a $1.94 billion line of credit to support operations. Shares are up 9.7% at 5.05 pence, having risen to 6.2 pence earlier in the session. (joseph.hoppe@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
12-02-22 1213ET
