United Kingdom - FTSE slips ahead of US jobs report later as millions of Brits face £139 hike in energy bills: Proactive

6 August 2021

Proactive

42.8K subscribers

FTSE 100 made a low-key start to Friday as attention focused on lunchtime’s monthly US jobs number.  Around 870,000 additions is the consensus forecast. London’s blue chip index dropped 12 to 7,018. Energy bills are set to rise by £139 a year on average as Ofgem raised the price cap on the most widely used tariffs by 12%. The regular is putting the hike down to soaring gas prices in Europe. Virgin-Galactic-Holdings-Inc (NYSE:SPCE) has started selling tickets to space, with prices starting at $450,000 per seat.  After his own recent trip to the edge of the atmosphere Sir Richard Branson said his space tourism company will have three offerings for “the private astronaut market”. Philipp Plein will become the first major fashion brand to accept payments in cryptocurrency at both its retail stores and online. The Swiss-based brand will accept 15 different digital currencies including major cryptos Bitcoin and Ethereum. Among the small caps, Xpediator PLC (LON:XPD) has formed a strategic partnership with Northampton-based ecommerce fulfilment expert Synergy Retail Support. Synergy will use vacant space in Xpediator’s warehouse in Braintree, Essex, to expand its operations. Jubilee Metals Group PLC (LON:JLP) chief executive Leon Coetzer said it had produced an exceptional performance in the six months ending June. Jubilee reported £40.1mln of attributable operational earnings for the first half, on £75.6mln of revenue.

Investment - #FTSE Friday's feeling after US infrastructure bill and UK travel changes gives bourse a boost: Proactive

 

25 June 2021

Proactive

42K subscribers

 

FTSE 100 opened higher after the US agreed a major infrastructure bill last night and the rumoured green list travel changes were confirmed. London’s leading index advanced 10 points to 7,120 in early trading.

 

 Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Amazon Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN) are under scrutiny by the UK Competition and Markets Authority over concerns on fake reviews. The tech giants may have not done enough to protect consumers from fake statements, the watchdog said.

 

UDG Healthcare PLC (LON:UDG) has squeezed a few extra pounds out of private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. The provider of services to the pharma industry has asked the bidder to up the offer price to 1,080p per share from 1,023p previously.

 

A test developed by Californian company Grail can find over 50 types of cancer just by using a sample of blood. The NHS will begin a pilot scheme to use it on 140,000 people aged over 50 this year.

 

 Xpediator (LON:XPD) increased its financial guidance for the current year as Covid recovery and Brexit boost boosts trading. The logistics group believes the business can deliver full-year adjusted profit before tax in excess of £8.5mln.

 

Remote Monitored Systems’ (LON:RMS) five-ply version of its Covid-19 anti-viral face mask has been approved by the UK's Regulatory Agency. The mask, developed in collaboration with Volz Filters, has an additional filter after the hydrophobic outer layer.

 

 Strategic Minerals (LON:SML) wants to list its Leigh Creek copper project on the Australian Stock Exchange within a year. Ahead of that, it is looking to raise A$10mln in debt funding to bring the Australian prospect into production in the second half of 2021