FTSE 100 to Fall After Lackluster Asian Session

FTSE 100 Set to Fall After Mixed Asia Trading

0631 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open 14 points lower at 7110, according to CMC Markets, after mixed trading in Asia and a slightly higher close on Wall Street. Stocks in mainland China are higher, but markets in Hong Kong and Japan are lower. The Dow closed 0.1% ahead. "Today's Asia session has been a subdued one, with little in the way of drivers one way or the other and as such, today's European trading looks set to open slightly on the back foot," CMC's Michael Hewson says. ([e-mail])

 
Companies News: 

Costain Posts 1H Profit, Sees Performance in Line With Views

Costain Group PLC said Wednesday that it swung to a profit in the first half of the year and is on track to deliver full-year performance in line with expectations.

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Avation Sells Airbus A220-300 Aircraft

Avation PLC said Wednesday that it has sold an Airbus A220-300 aircraft for an undisclosed sum as part of the company's plan to manage its portfolio and increase liquidity.

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Grafton Group 1H Profit Rose Sharply, Sees Supply-Chain Disruptions

Grafton Group PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit for the first half of 2021 rose sharply, but warned that supply chains are expected to be disrupted to some extent over the coming months.

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Anglo Pacific CEO Julian Treger to Leave in March 2022

Anglo Pacific Group PLC said Wednesday that Chief Executive Julian Treger intends to step down.

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Panthera Resources Signs $18 Mln Farm-Out Deal for Burkina Faso Gold Project

Panthera Resources PLC said Wednesday that it has secured an $18 million farm-out deal on its Labola gold project in Burkina Faso with Diamond Fields Resources Inc.

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Rank Group Says UK Tax Authority Has Decided Not to Appeal VAT Ruling

Rank Group PLC said Wednesday that the U.K. tax authority has decided not to appeal a decision by the First-Tier Tax Tribunal in favor of the company on a refunding claim over VAT paid on slot-machine income.

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Next Fifteen Sees FY 2022 Results Ahead of Expectations

Next Fifteen Communications Group PLC said Wednesday that its results for fiscal 2022 will be ahead of management expectations after a strong second-quarter revenue performance, and that it plans to accelerate investment.

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Anglo Pacific Says It Will Profit on Coal Price Rally in 2H -- Commodity Comment

Anglo Pacific Group PLC on Wednesday reported a profit for the first half of the year, reflecting lower re-valuation charges, but said it will see a higher boost from stronger coal prices in the second half. Here's what the natural resources royalty and streaming company had to say:

 
Market Talk: 

Rio Tinto Restart at Richards Bay Encouraging

0012 GMT - The restart of Rio Tinto's Richards Bay mineral sands operations is encouraging, and so long as production is ramped back up to capacity, the miner should be able to hit annual titanium dioxide output of 1 million tons, Macquarie reckons. Rio Tinto, which suspended the operations in June due to security issues, had earlier estimated 2021 output of 1.1 million-1.3 million tons, but hasn't reinstated guidance yet. Macquarie highlights Richards Bay is a small part of Rio's earnings, typically accounting for 2%-3% of Ebitda although only making up 1.4% during 1H FY21 as a record iron-ore price led to a surge in earnings from that division. ([e-mail]; @RhiannonHoyle)

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-25-21 0311ET