By Samuel Indyk
Investing.com – At 07:33BST, FTSE 100 futures are trading higher by 0.2% at 7245.
In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3656, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8461. The US Dollar Index is up 0.1%.
Today’s calendar highlights include UK and US Manufacturing PMI, US Construction Spending, ISM Manufacturing PMI.
Stocks
Barclays (LON:BARC) – CEO Jes Staley to step down from his role with immediate effect. C.S. Venkatakrishnan (known as Venkat) will take over as Group Chief Executive, subject to regulatory approval, from today.
Ryanair (LON:RYA) – H1 traffic increased 128% from 17.1 million to 39.1 million customers. H1 loss shrinks to €48 million from €411 million. Load factor increased 7 percentage points to 79%. Outlook for pricing and yields for the winter of FY22 will be challenging. Believe that FY22 traffic has improved to just over 100 million and (subject to winter fares) expect to record an FY22 loss of between €100-€200 million.
Land Securities (LON:LAND) – Agreed to acquire U and I Group for 149 pence per share, valuing the company at approximately £190 million.
AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) (NASDAQ:AZN) – Agreed to transfer its global rights to Eklira (Tudorza in the US) and Duaklir to Covis Pharma. Covis will pay $270 million upon completion of the deal.
BT (LON:BT) – Company CEO Jansen is set to announce that the company’s £1 billion cost savings target will be met a year earlier than previously guided. The announcement is also set to include the next stage of redundancies in preparation of a possible takeover by Patrick Drahi. (CityAM)
Howden (LON:HWDN) - UK depots' total revenue for periods between 13 June and 30 October increased by 20.8% and by 19.2% on a same depot basis on same period in 2020. Sales growth was driven principally by increases in volume in addition to price rises. For the year to date, total UK revenue was 37.7% higher than 2020. Now expects FY2021 profit before tax to be around the top end of current analyst forecasts.
Rolls-Royce (LON:RR) – Entered a partnership with Qatar to build a science and engineering campus in the UK to develop green technology start-ups, which could see Qatar invest billions of pounds over the next 20 years. (FT)
Synthomer (LON:SYNTS) - Michael Willome has started today as the Group's new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Calum MacLean who will stand down from the Board with immediate effect.
Marks and Spencer (LON:MKS) – Considering a bid to resuce tailer Gieves & Hawkes, according to sources. (Reuters)
Mitie (LON:MTO) – Has acquired Rock Power Connections for an initial payment of £10 million, with two deferred payments in aggregate of up to £4.5 million by the end of FY23 linked to performance targets.
Sportech (LON:ROD) – Sports betting is now live at the company’s three flagship sports bars in Connecticut in Stamford, Bradley and New Haven.
Ascential (LON:ASCL) – To acquire 4K Miles. Financial details not disclosed.
Petrofac (LON:PFC) – Prices $600 million senior notes due 2026.
Lloyds (LON:LLOY) - Upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at BNP.