UK market update – GDP increased more than thought in Q2, Boohoo sales up 20%

© Reuters

By Samuel Indyk

Investing.com – At 07:42BST, FTSE 100 Futures are trading higher by 0.6% at 7,119.

In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3445, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8629. The US Dollar Index is flat.

Today’s calendar highlights include German unemployment, Eurozone unemployment, German CPI, US GDP, US jobless claims, and US Natural gas storage change. Mexico and Colombia hold interest rate decisions.

Data

UK GDP increased by 5.5% in Q2, revised up from the previous reading of 4.8%. Health services and the arts performed better than initially thought, according to the Office for National Statistics.

UK house prices rose by 0.1% in September from August, according to Nationwide. On an annual basis, prices were up 10.0%.

Stocks

Diageo (LON:DGE) - Made a “strong” start to fiscal 22 with organic net sale momentum across all regions. European business is recovering ahead of company expectations. Expect organic operating margin to benefit from a further recovery in sales volumes, positive channel mix and premiumisation trends.

Boohoo (LON:BOOH) - H1 sales up 20% to £975.9 million. Gross profit up 19% to £533.3 million. Opening a new distribution centre in North America in 2023. Expectation for full year sales growth of 20%-25%. Elevated short-term cost headwinds experienced in the first half are expected to continue in H2. Consequently, adjusted EBITDA margins are now expected to be 9% to 9.5%, compared to 9.5% to 10% as previously guided.

South32 (LON:S32) - Exercised pre-emptive rights to acquire up to an additional 25% shareholding and related rights in Mozal Aluminium, from MCA Metals Holding, matching a purchase price of $250 million to acquire the interest.

Deliveroo (LON:ROO)/Morrisons PLC (LON:MRW) - Deliveroo launches Hop rapid grocery delivery service with Morrisons.

3I Group (LON:III) - David Hutchison to become non-executive Chairman of the board on 11th November.

Prudential (LON:PRU) - Net proceeds from share offer, after deduction of fees and other expenses, are estimated to be approximately HKD18.5 billion or $2.4 billion.

HICL Infrastructure (LON:HICL) - Non-exec director Mike Bane selected to succeed Ian Russell as Chair, effective 31st July.

Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) - Publishes first Communities and Social Performance (CSP) report. The report details progress made to 30 July 2021 in areas such as Traditional Owner partnerships and agreement modernisation in Western Australia; the introduction of new CSP structures and practices across the company; improved governance; and increasing social expertise within the business.

CLS Holdings (LON:CLSH) - Secured two leases at its assets in Munich and Hamburg. The new tenants have taken 68,975 sq. ft of space across the two buildings, both of which have been let above ERV.

Virgin Money (LON:VM) - To close 31 out of 162 branches as it accelerates digital transformation. Will take a circa £25 million restructuring charge in Q4. Will also take circa £20 million restructuring charge on operating model changes, where it aims to give colleagues greater flexibility around working patterns and location.

3I Infrastructure (LON:3IN) - Most portfolio companies have met or exceeded the expectations set in March 2021. On track to deliver its dividend target for the year ending 31 March 2022 of 10.45 pence per share.

FirstGroup (LON:FGP) - Greyhound subsidiary awarded an initial funding grant of $84.6 million from the first tranche of the US Department of the Treasury’s Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) scheme.

HSS Hire (LON:HSS) - To sell All Seasons Hire Limited to Cross Rental Services for £55 million.

Ex-Dividends

Barratt Developments (LON:BDEV), British American Tobacco (LON:BATS), Rightmove  (LON:RMV), and Smith & Nephew PLC (LON:SN) all go ex-dividend today, taking 5.79 points off the FTSE 100.