Wickes's Margin Outperformance Leads to Further Upgrades

Wickes's update highlights its operational and supply-chain agility, in what has been a tough industrywide backdrop, Liberum says. The U.K. home-improvement retailer has raised its adjusted pretax profit forecast for the full year to at least GBP83 million, from a previous range of GBP67 million to GBP75 million, driven by a better-than-expected margin as management has successfully mitigated cost pressures, the brokerage says. "We continue to see the shares as far too cheap for the high-quality growth, profit momentum and strong cash generation on offer, with year-end net cash likely to exceed GBP160 million," Liberum says, maintaining its buy rating for the stock and raising its target price to 450 pence, from 420 pence. Shares are up 10% at 237.2 pence.


 
Companies News: 

Origo Auctions Stake in Mongolia Molybdenum Project

Origo Partners PLC said Friday that it is putting its 20% stake in Moly World Ltd. up for auction.

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i(x) Net Zero to List in London, Raise GBP20 Mln

i(x) Net Zero PLC said Friday that it intends to float on London's alternative investment market in late December, raising 20 million pounds ($26.6 million) in a proposed placing.

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Mind Gym Swung to 1H Pretax Profit on Higher Revenue; Appoints New CFO

Mind Gym PLC said Friday that it swung to a pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2022 as revenue returned to pre-pandemic levels, and that it has named Dominic Neary as its new chief financial officer.

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Nationwide Building Society Appoints Debbie Crosbie as New CEO

Nationwide Building Society said Friday that it has appointed Debbie Crosbie as its new chief executive officer.

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Ncondezi Energy Sells Mozambique Green Power for $1.3 Million

Ncondezi Energy Ltd. said Friday that it has agreed to sell Mozambique Green Power to Green Energy SPV PLC for $1.3 million.

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Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Secures Two Lines of Credit

Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust PLC said Friday that it has secured two separate lines of credit through subsidiaries to fund acquisitions, refinance hydropower assets and meet capital expenditure requirements.

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Swedish Pharma Company Sobi Shares Fall After Advent, Aurora Withdraw Their Near $8 Bln Takeover Offer

Shares in Swedish Orphan Biovitrium AB fell sharply Friday after Advent International Corporation and Aurora Investment Pte Ltd withdrew their offer to acquire the Swedish drugmaker for nearly $8 billion.

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Octopus Renewables Raises GBP73.9 Million for Investments

Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust PLC said Friday that it has raised around 73.9 million pounds ($98.3 million) to invest in renewable energy assets and diversify its portfolio.

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Cellular Goods Posts Wider FY 2021 Pretax Loss; Shares Fall

Cellular Goods PLC shares fell Friday after it said its fiscal 2021 pretax loss widened on the back of one-off costs.

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While Shell Resists Breakup, Rivals See Opportunity From Spinoffs

Royal Dutch Shell PLC is standing firm against Third Point LLC's call for a breakup of the oil giant to retain and attract investors. But that isn't stopping Eni SpA and other European energy conglomerates from targeting similar moves to boost shareholder returns.

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Compass Pathways Names Michael Falvey as Finance Chief

Compass Pathways PLC said it has appointed Michael Falvey as finance chief, succeeding Piers Morgan when he leaves the company, as previously announced, at the end of the year.

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BHP Group PLC Update on recommended offer for Noront Resources

TIDMBHP


 
Market Talk: 

UK Energy Bills Will Rise by GBP550 a Year in April

1312 GMT - The price of the average annual gas bill in the U.K. could increase by GBP350 in April and the average electricity bill by GBP200, compared with current levels, charity National Energy Action warns. The estimate is based on forecasts from Cornwall Insight, Baringa and EnergyShop.com, and takes into account the Supplier of Last Resort levy, increased social obligation costs and changes in the way the price cap is calculated. The current dual-fuel bill price cap for the six months ending March 31 is GBP1,277. "The cost of living in the U.K. is at its highest level in a decade with household energy bills the biggest driver," NEA's Chief Executive Adam Scorer says.

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Deliveroo, Delivery Hero Shares Hit by Potential EU Labor Legislation

1242 GMT - Shares in Deliveroo PLC and Delivery Hero SE fall after Bloomberg reported that the self-employed riders of food delivery companies could be reclassified as employees, as part of new potential European Union legislation. These platforms, as well as others such as Uber and Bolt Technology OU, could see their costs increase significantly and profits decrease if the draft proposal to improve the rights of millions of "gig economy" workers in the EU goes ahead. Shares in Delivery Hero are down 2% at EUR105.25, while shares in Deliveroo in London are down 5.6% at 248.00 pence.

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European Bank Shares' Omicron Stumble Is an Opportunity, Jefferies Says

1224 GMT - European bank stocks have underperformed with Omicron news and Jefferies analysts consider it an opportunity. There are several factors that should support their performance this time around compared with earlier pandemic shocks: Thanks to vaccines and sector adaptation, economic activity should be less affected by restrictions and high inflation rates could lead to interest rate increases--a boon for banks. Plus, most lenders have high buffers to shield them from credit losses. Their capital ratios are also higher than pre-pandemic levels and regulators are unlikely to restrict payouts again, Jefferies says. Its top picks are UBS, SocGen, UniCredit and Barclays. If Omicron ends up threatening the economic recovery, Nordic banks, Credit Agricole and UBS look most resilient, it says.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Write to Sarka Halas at sarka.halas@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-03-21 0916ET