FTSE 100 Poised to Rise After Upbeat US Trading
0742 GMT - The FTSE 100 Index looks set to open 22 points higher at 7747, according to IG futures data, after a positive close on Wall Street, though Asia trades mixed. Markets in Australia and mainland China rise, though stocks in Hong Kong fall and Japan's Nikkei 225 is flat. The Dow closed Wednesday 0.8% higher. Brent crude trades flat at $82.70 a barrel. "Optimism over today's U.S. inflation numbers has helped drive a positive start to 2023 for both European and U.S. markets so far this year, with the Nasdaq 100 closing higher for the fourth day in a row, " CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson writes. "This optimism looks set to continue today with another positive open." (philip.waller@wsj.com)
Companies News:
Persimmon 2022 Sales Rate Dropped as Demand Falls; Begins 2023 with Lower Orders
Persimmon PLC said Thursday that its 2022 sales rates fell, particularly in the second half, and it enters 2023 with a lower forward sales position on year.
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Tesco Backs FY 2023 Views After Strong Christmas Performance
Tesco PLC on Thursday backed its adjusted operating profit expectations for fiscal 2023, following a robust performance during Christmas, mainly driven by Central Europe.
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Marks & Spencer 3Q Sales Rose on Year After Strong Christmas Performance
Marks & Spencer Group PLC said Thursday that its performance over the Christmas period was strong, with a rise in third-quarter sales.
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Centrica Raises 2022 Adjusted EPS Guidance After Strong Performance
British Gas owner Centrica PLC on Thursday raised its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance after saying that its operational performance since November has remained strong.
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Centrica Names Russell O'Brien as New Chief Financial Officer
Centrica PLC on Thursday named Shell PLC's Group Treasurer Russell O'Brien as its incoming chief financial officer and executive director, effective March 1, taking over from Kate Ringrose in the role.
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Vodafone Appoints Aldo Bisio as Chief Commercial Officer
Vodafone Group PLC said Thursday that Aldo Bisio has been appointed chief commercial officer, effective immediately.
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Whitbread 3Q Sales Rose 18%; Says It Is Confident on FY 2024
Whitbread PLC on Thursday said its like-for-like group sales grew 18.3% in the third quarter and it expects pricing to remain strong as it looks to fiscal 2024 with confidence.
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ASOS Backs FY 2023 Guidance as Four-Month Revenue Fell
ASOS PLC on Thursday backed its expectations for fiscal 2023 after reporting a fall in revenue for the first four months of the year due to challenging trading conditions.
Market Talk:
Tesco's Strong Christmas Performance Likely to Support Shares
0746 GMT - Tesco reported a strong Christmas performance and the confident signs after it backed full-year guidance are expected to be supportive to the shares, Citi analysts say in a note. The grocer's like-for-like sales increase of 7.2% in the U.K. suggests grocery growth in excess of 8%, indicating a robust peak trading period, they add. "Notwithstanding the prevailing macro uncertainties, we continue to see value in the shares," they say. (michael.susin@wsj.com)
Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
01-12-23 0307ET
