London Shares to Open Slightly Higher as US Jobs Data Eyed

FTSE 100 to Open Slightly Higher as US Jobs Data Eyed

The FTSE 100 is seen opening slightly higher as investors wait for the closely-watched U.S. nonfarm payrolls report for July at 1230 GMT. Spreadbetter IG expects the London index to open up 5 points. "There has been plenty of speculation about the importance of today's jobs report in terms of the timing of a possible tapering of asset purchases, as well as when to expect a possible interest rate hike, whether it be early 2023, or late 2022," CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson says. Regardless of the figures, the economic outlook remains uncertain so the Federal Reserve is unlikely to offer any "steer on monetary policy" at the Aug. 26-Aug. 28 Jackson Hole symposium, he says.

 
Companies News: 

London Stock Exchange Group 1H Pretax Profit Nearly Doubled

London Stock Exchange Group PLC reported Friday a nearly doubled pretax profit for the first half of 2021 and said it is confident in meeting its financial targets.

---

Darktrace Investors Sell $200.3 Mln of Shares

Jefferies International Ltd. said Friday that it has sold $200.3 million worth of shares in cybersecurity company Darktrace PLC, slightly more than first announced late Thursday.

---

Hikma 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue, Rose; Raises Guidance

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC said on Friday that pretax profit for the first half rose as revenue rose, and raised its guidance.

---

ContourGlobal 1H Net Profit Fell 49%; Raises FY Adj Earnings Guidance

ContourGlobal PLC on Friday reported that its net profit nearly halved in the first half of the year, but raised earnings guidance for the whole of 2021.

---

Capita Swung to 1H Pretax Profit, Expects 2021 Revenue Growth

Capita PLC said Friday that it swung to pretax profit for the first half after booking lower costs, and that it was on track to achieve revenue growth in 2021.

---

London Stock Exchange Group 1H Pretax Profit Rose, Expects to Hit 2021 Financial Targets

London Stock Exchange Group PLC reported Friday a nearly doubled pretax profit for the first half of 2021 and said that even though costs will increase in the second half as it continues integrating the acquisition of Refinitiv, it will still meet its financial targets.

---

Civitas Continues to Perform as Expected, NAV Edged Up in 1Q

Civitas Social Housing PLC said Friday that it continues to perform in line with expectations and that its net asset value per share increased slightly in the quarter to June.

 
Market Talk: 

BHP Oil Investments Show Petroleum Unit's Potential

BHP's latest oil investments might be interpreted "as a demonstration of the value-accretive potential of BHP's petroleum business," following speculation over whether the miner will seek to offload the division, Morgan Stanley says. Its $544 million Shenzi North investment would generate an internal rate of return of 35%, and have a pay-back period of two years and break-even price of $25/barrel, MS notes. The $258 million for the Trion project is slated for studies ahead of an expected investment decision mid-2022.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; [phone]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-06-21 0305ET