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| Yesterday’s UK 100 Leaders | Price (p) | % Chg |
| RECKITT BENCKISER GROUP PLC | 6,100.0 | 5.4% |
| VODAFONE GROUP PLC | 139.6 | 4.5% |
| WM MORRISON SUPERMARKETS | 183.8 | 4.3% |
| SSE PLC | 1,643.0 | 4.1% |
| ASTRAZENECA PLC | 7,455.0 | 4.0% |
| Yesterday’s UK 100 Laggards | Price (p) | % Chg |
| ROLLS-ROYCE HOLDINGS PLC | 607.4 | -4.5% |
| TUI AG-DI | 582.6 | -4.3% |
| WHITBREAD PLC | 3620.0 | -3.9% |
| INTL CONSOLIDATED AIRLINE-DI | 447.0 | -3.8% |
| ASHTEAD GROUP PLC | 2325.0 | -3.5% |
| Major World Indices | Price | % Chg | 1 Year |
| UK 100 INDEX | 6,816 | 1.5% | -5.1% |
| DOW JONES INDUS. AVG | 27,091 | 4.5% | 5.0% |
| DAX INDEX | 12,128 | 1.2% | 4.4% |
| NIKKEI 225 | 21,329 | 1.1% | -1.8% |
| S&P/ASX 200 INDEX | 6,396 | 1.1% | 3.2% |
| Commodities | Units | Price | % Chg |
| WTI Crude Oil (Nymex) | USD/bbl. | 47.16 | 0.81% |
| Brent Crude (ICE) | USD/bbl. | 51.56 | 0.84% |
| Gold Spot | USD/t oz. | 1,641 | 0.2% |
| Copper (Comex) | USd/lb. | 259 | 0.3% |
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UK 100 called to open +12 points at 6818; Asian stocks extended a global equity rally after an emergency U.S. spending bill to combat the impact of the coronavirus added to signs of support from policy makers around the world. Treasuries edged higher and U.S. stock futures gave back some of Wednesday’s gains. The Nikkei gained 230 points to trade at 21,329, the Hang Seng rose over 2%, 532 points, to trade at 26,751. Also adding more than 2% was the Chinese CSI closing 91 points higher at 4,206. OPEC+ found itself stuck yet again, after a day of talks ended with its two most important members split over whether they should deepen production cuts to offset the huge demand hit from the coronavirus epidemic. With oil prices down more than 20% since the beginning of the year, the debate between Russia and Saudi Arabia was being closely watched, oil once again traded lower at $51.95.
Aviva posted a 6% rise in 2019 operating profit to £3.2bn (beat consensus of £3.1bn) due to strength in its general and life insurance businesses. They will pay a dividend of 30.9p per share (+3%) in-line with forecasts.
Domino’s Pizza Group reported FY underlying profit before tax of £98.8m v £100m expected. FY dividend +2.7% to 9.76p. Potential impact from covid-19 is difficult to determine, with situation continuing to evolve. Contingency plans are in place if Coronavirus escalates.
GVC Holdings this morning announced A strong financial and operational performance, underlying EBITDA ahead of original expectations. Group underlying operating profit was 20% lower than 2018 at £490.1m. GVC continue to target double digit online revenue growth in the medium term, which they expect to deliver through a combination of underlying market growth and continuing to gain share in key territories and M&A activity.
ITV reported FY adjusted earnings of £729m for 2019 (-10% v 2018) better than the market expected, reflecting a decline in ad revenue and strategic investments in the business. Advertising revenue for Q1 is forecast to rise +2%, but cautioned that early indications suggested a 10% drop in April as travel advertising is deferred due to coronavirus.
Premier Oil announces 2019 profit rises 23% to $164m. This was the highest level since 2014. It also committed to reducing its greenhouse emissions and be 65% carbon neutral by 2025 and 100% by 2030. It also reported cash flow at a record $327m, up 30%. Company is still awaiting a court decision on its plan for a capital raise of $500m for new North Sea acquisitions.
Schroders FY pre-tax profit fell -4% to £624.6m, hit by higher costs and decrease in revenue margins as market uncertainty led some investors to sell out of equities.
Source: Bloomberg, FT, Reuters, DJ Newswires, AlphaTerminal
Admiral Group
Aviva
Page Group
Schroders
ITV
Premier Oil
Melrose
Domino's
GVC Holdings
Kier Group
Funding Circle
Countrywide
US - Initial Jobless Claims
UK 100 :
BHP Group
Rio Tinto
Persimmon
Evraz
RSA Insurance
Standard Chartered
:
Oxford Instruments
SSP Group
Safestore Holdings
McCarthy & Stone
Renishaw
St Modwen
Redrow
Ashmore Group
Hays
Dechra
Grafton
Barclays Downgraded to Add by AlphaValue (Bloomberg: 15 Buys/ 7 Holds/ 2 Sells)
BHP Group Upgraded to Neutral by J.P. Morgan (Bloomberg: 6 Buys/ 18 Holds/ 3 Sells)
British American Tobacco Upgraded to outperform by Bernstein (Bloomberg: 17 Buys/ 5 Holds/ 1 Sells)
Hargreaves Lansdown Downgraded to Hold by Numis (Bloomberg: 4 Buys/ 6 Holds/ 8 Sells)
Meggitt Downgraded to Neutral by Goldman Sachs (Bloomberg: 8 Buys/ 9 Holds/ 4 Sells)
Saga Downgraded to Hold by Peel Hunt (Bloomberg: 2 Buys/ 4 Holds/ 0 Sells)
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