FTSE 100 to Open Higher After Losses in Previous Session
The FTSE 100 is expected to open higher after falling in the previous session as investors weigh Chinese manufacturing figures and look ahead to other key data. Spreadbetting firm IG expects the London index to open up 57 points after closing down 28 points on Tuesday. The Caxin manufacturing purchasing managers' index fell to 49.2 in August from 50.3 in July with a level below 50 signalling a contraction in sector activity. The Markit/CIPS final August U.K. manufacturing PMI is due at 0830 GMT. The ADP private payrolls report at 1345 GMT is a key focus after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell suggested Friday at the Jackson Hole symposium that the labor market hadn't recovered enough to start tapering asset purchases.
Companies News:
WH Smith Sees FY 2021 Performance Slightly Above Guidance, Profit at Lower End of Views
WH Smith PLC said Wednesday that it expects the outcome for the year ended Aug. 31 to be slightly above previous guidance.
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Dalata Deputy CEO to Retire, Step Down from Board in 2022
Dalata Hotel Group PLC said Wednesday that its Deputy Chief Executive Stephen McNally intends to retire.
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Petropavlovsk Swung to 1H Profit, But Underlying Ebitda Fell 41%
Petropavlovsk PLC on Wednesday reported a profit for the first half of the year, but its underlying performance worsened, dragged by lower production and higher costs.
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National Grid's Acquisition of WPD Gets UK Regulator Clearance
The Competition and Markets Authority has cleared National Grid PLC 's acquisition of Western Power Distribution from PPL Corp.
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Babcock International Sells Oil-and-Gas Aviation Business for $13.8 Mln
Babcock International Group PLC said Wednesday that it has sold its oil-and-gas business to CHC Group LLC for 10 million pounds ($13.8 million) in cash, and will use the proceeds to reduce net debt.
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888 Holdings Sees 2021 Performance Slightly Ahead of Views After 1H Profit Rose
888 Holdings PLC on Wednesday reported an improved profit for the first half of 2021, and said that it anticipates full-year revenue and earnings slightly ahead of prior expectations.
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John Menzies Swung to 1H Pretax Profit
John Menzies PLC said Wednesday that it swung to a pretax profit for the first half of 2021 after booking lower costs, and that the board expects the trend in passenger volumes witnessed in the first half to continue over the remainder of the year.
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Alpha FX 1H Profit, Revenue Rose Following Lockdowns; Proposes Interim Dividend
Alpha FX Group PLC said Wednesday that its profit and revenue surged in the first half of 2021.
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Kainos Expects to Beat Market Views on Revenue for FY 2022
Kainos Group PLC said Wednesday that it expects fiscal 2022 revenue to be ahead of current consensus forecasts.
Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Write to Sarka Halas at sarka.halas@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
09-01-21 0310ET
