By Samuel Indyk
Investing.com – At 07:29GMT, FTSE 100 futures are trading lower by 0.8% at 7,553.
In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3531, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8412. The US Dollar Index is up 0.4%.
Bitcoin is trading at $43,242.
Today’s calendar highlights include Michigan Consumer Expectations.
Data
UK GDP grew 1.0% in Q4, but it still 0.4% below the pre-pandemic peak seen in Q4 2019. Analysts had expected GDP to grow 1.1% during the quarter. In December, GDP declined 0.2%.
“GDP fell back slightly in December as the Omicron wave hit with retail and hospitality seeing the biggest impacts,” ONS Director of Economic Statistics Darren Morgan said. “However, these were partially offset by increases in Test and Trace service and vaccination programmes.”
Stocks
British American Tobacco (LON:BATS) - FY adjusted revenue up 6.9% to £25.684 billion. Revenue from new categories up 50.9%. Adjusted profit from operations up 5.2% includes a negative transactional FX impact of 1.7%. Increased dividend 1% to 217.8 pence per share. Announced £2 billion share repurchase programme. Outlook for 2022 constant currency revenue growth of 3%-5%. High-single figure constant currency adjusted EPS growth, with growth second half weighted.
AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) - AstraZeneca's ADRs (NASDAQ:AZN) to become a member of the NASDAQ 100 prior to the market open on 22nd February, replacing Xilinx.
Tate & Lyle (LON:TATE) - Q3 revenue from continuing operations up 18%. Q3 trading was in line with expectations. The outlook for the financial year for total operations (current Tate & Lyle) remains unchanged with the performance of continuing operations expected to be stronger and discontinued operations weaker.
Deliveroo (LON:ROO) - Partnered with Waitrose to for its rapid “Hop” delivery service.
Victrex (LON:VCTX) - Q1 group revenue up 9% to £74.6 million. Q1 group sales volume up 16% to 1,025 tonnes. Expectations for the full year are unchanged.
Helios Towers (LON:HTWS) - Long-stop date for the acquisition of Omantel’s passive tower infrastructure portfolio extended to 12th July 2022.
Lancashire Holdings (LON:LRE) - Q4 gross premiums written increased by 50% year-on-year to a record $1.2 billion. Final dividend declared of $0.10 per common share.