The FTSE 100 index closed Monday up 0.4% to 7361.3 after the declines of last week, boosted by oil-exposed stocks and miners on the back of a pledge by the Chinese government to stabilize the economy in the coming weeks, CMC Markets Chief Market Analyst Michael Hewson says in a note. Melrose Industries lead the blue-chip index, up 3.2%, followed by telecommunication services Airtel Africa, which rose 2.8%. A rebound in oil prices also drove BP and Shell shares up 2.5% and 2.0%, respectively. However, retailers fell after retail consultancy Springboard showed a footfall drop on the high street during last week caused by rail strikes and cold weather, Hewson adds. Shares were also dragged by mounting fears that the sector could issue further warnings on profits in January, he says. JD Sports fell 2.1% and Next 1.7%. 


Companies News:

CRH to Buy Back $300 Mln in Shares

CRH PLC said Monday that it will conduct a $300 million share buyback program.

---

Thruvision Confirms Breakeven Target After 1H Pretax Loss Narrowed

Thruvision Group PLC said Monday said its pretax loss for the first half of fiscal 2023 fiscal narrowed slightly as it posted an increase in revenue, and confirmed that it expects to break even in the full financial year.

---

Lookers Chairman Ian Bull to Step Down

Lookers PLC on Monday said its Chairman Ian Bull will step down from the role on Dec. 31 for personal reasons.

---

Insig AI 1H Pretax Loss Widened on Higher Costs

Insig AI PLC said Monday that pretax loss for the first half of fiscal 2023 widened after the company booked higher costs, and that directors weren't recommending dividend payments.

---

M.P. Evans Further Extends Share Buyback Program

M.P. Evans Group PLC said Monday that it will extend and increase the budget of its share buyback program.

---

LBG Media Expects 20% Rise in 2H Revenue

LBG Media PLC said Monday that it expects to report a 20% rise in second-half revenue despite the challenging economic environment.

---

Feedback Sees 1H Revenue Rising; Confident For FY 2023 Growth

Feedback PLC on Monday said its half-year revenue rose thanks to the extension to its pilot program contract in Sussex and said it is confident for continued growth for the rest of the year.

---

Camellia Agrees on Sale of Interest in ACS&T for GBP16.5 Mln Cash

Camellia PLC said Monday that it has agreed to sell its interest in ACS&T to HSH Coldstores Ltd. for 16.5 million pounds ($20 million) in cash payable at completion.

---

Angus Energy to Raise Around GBP7 Mln; Shares Fall

Shares in Angus Energy PLC fell Monday after the company said it will raise around 7 million pounds ($8.5 million) via a discounted share placing and a subscription.

---

Spire Healthcare Buys the Doctors Clinic Group for GBP12 Mln

Spire Healthcare Group PLC said Monday that it has bought the Doctors Clinic Group for 12 million pounds ($14.6 million) to further extend its presence in the U.K.

---

CentralNic Buys Website Portfolio for $5.2 Mln

CentralNic Group PLC on Monday said it signed an agreement to buy a portfolio of niche websites from multiple sellers for $5.2 million in cash.

---

Braemar Buys Southport Maritime for $7.3 Mln

Braemar PLC said Monday that it has bought Southport Maritime Inc. in the U.S. for an initial $7.3 million to expand its presence in the Americas.

---

Midatech Pharma Shares Rise on Revised Placement Terms, Intention to Remain on AIM

Shares in Midatech Pharma PLC rose Monday after the company said it had agreed to revise the terms of a private placement, and that it no longer intends to cancel its AIM listing.

---

Star Phoenix Shares Fall on Inability to Publish FY 2022 Results, Share Suspension

Star Phoenix Group Ltd. shares fell Monday after it said it won't be able to publish its audited results for fiscal 2022 by Dec. 31 and that its shares will consequently be suspended from Jan. 3.

---

Angus Energy Raises GBP7.1 Mln; Shares Fall -- Update

Shares in Angus Energy PLC fell as much as 25% on Monday after the company said it raised around 7.1 million pounds ($8.6 million) via a discounted share placing and a subscription.

---

Pearson to Buy Personnel Decisions Research Institutes

Pearson PLC said Monday that it has agreed to buy workforce assessment provider Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, LLC from SHL Group in a deal with an enterprise value of $190 million.

---

Purplebricks' Shareholders Vote Against Removal of Chairman

Purplebricks Group PLC said Monday that the resolutions requested by Lecram Holdings Ltd. (Lecram) to remove Chairman Paul Pindar and to appoint former Countrywide Chief Executive and Rightmove PLC founder Harry Hill as his replacement were rejected by shareholders in a general meeting. 


 
Market Talk:

James Fisher's Disposals Bode Well For Strategy

1334 GMT - James Fisher & Sons's disposal of three businesses shows the marine services group's ability to carry out its strategy of streamlining its operations to focus on core activities, as well as cutting debt, Peel Hunt says. The businesses sold--Mimic, Strainstall's U.K. operations and Prolec--were small digital and data-services operations within Fisher's marine-support division and were not core to the group, Peel says. "These disposals demonstrate the strategy to rationalize and focus the portfolio and strengthen the financial position," Peel analyst Alexander Paterson says in a note, reiterating the brokerage's hold rating and 400 pence price target. Shares are unchanged at 341p. (philip.waller@wsj.com)

---

LBG Media Appeals to Advertisers, Audiences and Investors, Liberum Says

1350 GMT - LBG Media's strong 2H revenue performance is indicative of the strong appeal of its proposition both with advertisers and audiences, Liberum analysts Ciaran Donnelly and William Larwood say in a note. Management has pointed to continued growth in 2023, and this should be taken positively as the share price implies there is a downside risk to 2023's numbers given the tougher macroeconomic backdrop, the analysts say. Liberum rates the stock buy and has a 115-pence target price. Shares are up 10% at 75 pence. (anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-19-22 1231ET