The FTSE 100 closed up 0.5 Friday as investor sentiment was boosted by China's economic data, the European Central Bank implying interest rates likely peaked after raising them Thursday, and hopes the U.K. house market slowdown would soon materialize. "The premier index has enjoyed a steady and increasingly successful week as the global economic picture has begun to display some benign signs", Interactive Investor analyst Richard J. Hunter says in a note. Endeavour Mining was the session's biggest riser, up 4.9%, followed by Airtel Africa and DCC, up 2.6% and 2.3% respectively. BT, Segro and Land Securities Group were the day's biggest fallers, down 1.5%, 1.4% and 1.3% respectively.

COMPANIES NEWS:

B90 Raises GBP2 Mln in Discount Share Placing, Subscription

B90 said it has raised 2 million pounds ($2.5 million) in a share placing and subscription, to be used as investments and general working capital.

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Games Workshop Early FY 2024 Performance Beat Views; Declares Dividend

Games Workshop Group said that three-month performance to Aug. 28 was ahead of the board expectations for the quarter and declared a dividend.

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Beacon Energy Raises GBP4.3 Mln in Oversubscribed Share Placing

Beacon Energy said that it has raised 4.3 million pounds ($5.3 million) through an oversubscribed share placing, and that proceeds will be used for general working capital.

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GCM Resources Chair Abdul Aziz Steps Down

GCM Resources said its nonexecutive Chairman Mohd Najib Bin Abdul Aziz resigned from the position and will be succeeded by nonexecutive Director Christian Taylor-Wilkinson on an interim basis.

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Petra Diamonds Swung to FY 2023 Pretax Loss Amid Lower Production, Prices

Petra Diamonds said it swung to a pretax loss in fiscal 2023 on lower production and weaker realized prices, while it backed its fiscal 2024 guidance.

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Eagle Eye Solutions Names Anne De Kerckhove as Incoming Chair

Eagle Eye Solutions said Friday that Chair Malcolm Wall won't seek reelection at the company's annual general meeting in November, and named Anne de Kerckhove as successor.

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VH Global Sustainable Energy Pretax Profit Falls, Launches Buyback of Up to GBP10 Mln

VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities launched a share buyback program of up to 10 million pounds ($12.4 million) after pretax profit fell in the first half of the year.

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Rockfire Resources Acquires Emirates Gold, Emperesse Bullion

Rockfire Resources shares were suspended after the company said it will acquire the whole stake of Emirates Gold DMCC and 99% of Emperesse Bullion LLC for a total consideration of $20 million.

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ThomasLloyd Energy to Name Transitional Investment Manager

ThomasLloyd Energy Impact Trust will name a transitional investment manager to oversee the future of the company and put it on the path to lift its trading suspension.

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Trifast Names Iain Percival as Incoming CEO

Trifast has appointed Iain Percival as incoming chief executive officer, set to join the main board from Sept. 20 and take over from interim chief Scott Mac Meekin.


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Dow Jones Newswires; paul.larkins@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

09-15-23 1312ET