FTSE 100 Set to Rise After Asia Gains Ahead of Fed
0634 GMT - The FTSE 100 looks set to open about 29 points higher at 7335, according to IG futures data, after mostly upbeat trading in Asia ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve interest-rate decision later. Markets in Australia, mainland China, Japan and South Korea gain, though stocks in Hong Kong drop 1%. The Dow closed 0.7% lower. "As we look ahead to today's European open, the main focus will be on this evening's Fed meeting," CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson says in a note. "It's certain that the Fed will hike rates again today by another 75 basis points, with the only question being what comes next and whether we see 50bps or another 75bps in September," he said. (philip.waller@wsj.com)
Companies News:
Fresnillo Backs Guidance as 2Q Production, Juanicipio Commissioning on Track
Fresnillo PLC on Wednesday reiterated 2022 guidance as its second quarter production was in line with expectations and the Juanicipio plant will start commissioning soon.
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Smurfit Kappa 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose
Smurfit Kappa Group PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit rose on higher revenue in the first half of the year, and that its performance in the period has set a strong foundation for the remainder of 2022.
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Lloyds 2Q Pretax Profit Rose Ahead of Views, Outlook for 2022 Enhanced
Lloyds Banking Group PLC reported on Wednesday a slight increase in pretax profit for the second quarter of 2022, which came in ahead of market views, and said that it has strengthened its outlook for the whole year.
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GSK 2Q Operating Profit Slipped Despite Higher Sales; Raises 2022 Outlook
GSK PLC said Wednesday that its second quarter operating profit fell from the previous year though sales grew, and raised its outlook for 2022.
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Haleon 2Q Organic Revenue Boosted by Portfolio Strength, Innovation
Haleon PLC on Wednesday reported a 7.5% organic rise in second-quarter revenue, which it said reflected the strength of its portfolio, continued innovation and excellent commercial execution across its markets, and said that full-year growth is now expected to be 6%-8%.
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British American Tobacco 1H Pretax Profit Fell Despite Revenue Boost From New Categories
British American Tobacco PLC said Wednesday that first-half pretax profit fell on higher expenses, despite a robust increase of new categories revenue.
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Unite Group Posts Higher 1H Earnings, Raises Guidance for 2022-23 Academic Year
Unite Group PLC on Wednesday reported higher earnings for the first half of 2022 and raised its outlook for the 2022-23 academic year.
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Marston's: Like-For-Like Sales Down 2% on 2019 Due to Trading Restrictions, Consumer Sentiment
Marston's PLC said Wednesday that like-for-like sales for the 42-week period to July 23 were down 2% on 2019, reflecting the reintroduction of trading restrictions in December and January and the hit to consumer sentiment in the first half.
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Paragon Banking Backs FY 2022 Guidance After Strong 3Q
Paragon Banking Group PLC said Wednesday that its performance in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was strong and that it continues to back its guidance for the whole year.
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Reckitt Benckiser Swung to 1H Pretax Profit, Upgrades Revenue Growth View
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC reported Wednesday a swing to pretax profit for the first half of the year and upgraded its revenue growth expectations for the full year.
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Rio Tinto 1H Profit Falls 28%, Market Environment Worsens
Rio Tinto PLC said its first-half profit fell by 28% as iron-ore prices weren't as strong and it grappled with rising costs, prompting a sharp cut in its midyear payout to shareholders.
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Everyman Media 1H Revenue, Adjusted Ebitda Recover to Prepandemic Levels
Everyman Media Group PLC said Wednesday that revenue and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the first half rose compared with 2019 after an increased number of venues, strong admissions and higher average spends.
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Anglo American's De Beers Reports Diamond Sales of $630 Mln for Cycle 6
Anglo American PLC on Wednesday reported revenue of $630 million for the sixth diamond sales cycle of 2022 which ran from July 11 to July 26.
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Wizz Air 1Q Pretax Loss Widened on Higher Costs
Wizz Air Holdings PLC said Wednesday that its pretax loss widened for the first quarter of fiscal 2023 after booking higher costs, and that it was affected by lingering Covid-19 restrictions and the effect of the war in Ukraine.
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FirstGroup Says FY 2023 Performance in Line With Views So Far
FirstGroup PLC said Wednesday that its fiscal 2023 performance in the year-to-date has been in line with the board's expectations.
Market Talk:
GSK Upgrades Guidance on Strong Quarter
0637 GMT - British pharmaceutical giant GSK has brightened its full-year outlook after a better-than-expected quarter driven by strong sales of some of its specialty medicines like its portfolio of HIV drugs and shingles vaccine Shingrix. The company now expects full-year revenue to grow 6% to 8%, from earlier guidance of 5% to 7%, and for adjusted operating profit growth of 13% to 15%, from 12% to 14% previously. (denise.roland@wsj.com; @deniseroland)
Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
07-27-22 0313ET
