By Samuel Indyk
Investing.com – At 07:36BST, FTSE 100 Futures are trading lower by 0.1% at 7,024.
In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3700, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8528. The US Dollar Index is up 0.15%.
Today’s calendar highlights include US trade balance, wholesale inventories, house price index, consumer confidence, and Richmond Fed manufacturing index.
Stocks
Smiths Group (LON:SMIN) - Entered binding agreement with ICU Medical to sell Smiths Medical unit for a headline enterprise value of $2.7 billion, plus an additional $0.1 billion contingent on future share price performance. Smiths Group also said has entered FY 22 with good order book momentum and expects underlying revenue growth to return, in aggregate, to around pre-COVID levels with further operational efficiency benefits and good cash generation. Proposed final dividend of 26.0 pence per share, full-year dividend increased 8%.
AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) (NASDAQ:AZN) - Saphnelo (anifrolumab) has been approved in Japan for the treatment of adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a serious autoimmune disease.
Moonpig Group (LON:MOONM) - Raising guidance for group revenue in FY22, which is now expected to be between approximately £270 million and £285 million. Medium-term growth and margin targets remain unchanged.
EasyJet (LON:EZJ) – Receives acceptances from shareholders for 93% of the new shares sold as part of its £1.2 billion rights issue.
Ferguson (LON:FERG) - FY revenue up 14.3% to $22.792 billion. Records final dividend of 166.5 cents per share, bringing total dividend to 239.4 cents, an increase of 15%. Expect a year of good growth overall but anticipate a tapering in the second half on tougher prior year comparatives.
Blue Prism (LON:PRSMB) - Agreed to be taken over by Vista for £11.25 per share in cash, valuing the company at £1.095 billion.
Go-Ahead (LON:GOG) – UK government to take control of Southeastern rail franchise after the company admitted to making errors. Finance director Elodie Brian has resigned with immediate effect.
BHP Group (LON:BHPB) - Proxy adviser Glass Lewis advises shareholders to vote against the company’s Climate Transition Action Plan, citing concerns about its scope and alignment with the latest climate science.
Close Brothers (LON:CBRO) - Adjusted operating profit increased 88% to £270.7 million. Board proposing final dividend of 42.0 pence per share, resulting in full-year dividend of 60.0 pence. Encouraged by the improvement in the economic outlook, although the trajectory remains uncertain.
Pennon Group (LON:PNN) - Overall EBITDA remains in line with management expectations as increased costs have been offset by increased revenues.
Greencoat (LON:UKWG) - Agreed to acquire Andershaw wind farm from Statkraft for total consideration of £121 million.
A.G.Barr (LON:BAG) - H1 revenue up 19.5% to £135.3 million. Announces recommencement of dividends, comprising an interim dividend of 2.00 pence per share plus a one-off special dividend of 10.00 pence per share. Remain on track to deliver strong full-year profit performance, slightly ahead of 2019/20 pre-COVID level.
Flutter Entertainment (LON:FLTRF) - Upgraded to Buy from Hold at HSBC.
Sectors
Oil & Gas - Brent Oil Futures traded above $80/barrel yesterday for the first time since October 2018.