Financial stocks are among the best performing stocks following Standard Chartered's results. The bank rose 8% after it announced dividends and a new $1 billion share buyback thanks to an 18% gain in annual profit.

Overall, the index should finish the week with a small loss, hampered by mixed earnings and resilient inflation which dampened rate cuts hopes.

In other news, new data shows British consumer sentiment fell for the first time in four months in February as households.

Greencore Group, a Dublin-based convenience food producer, has completed a GBP15 million share buyback program as part of a larger GBP50 million capital return to shareholders announced in May 2022. The buyback, which will run until March 30 at the latest, could see a maximum of 26.6 million shares repurchased.

Glencore's 2023 results showed a sharp decline compared to an extraordinary 2022, with sales down 15% to $218 billion and adjusted operating profit down 61% to $10 billion. The company faced profitability pressures in both its Trading and Industrial divisions. Net attributable profit was down 75% to $4.3 billion, but 'reported' operating cash flows were better at $11 billion, thanks to a working capital release. The company said it remains optimistic about navigating another challenging operating environment due to its strategic positioning and asset portfolio.

Chemring Group has reaffirmed its guidance for fiscal 2024, with group revenue 87% covered by revenue generated to date and the current order book. The company will publish interim results for the six months ended April 30 on June 4.

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