Omicron Variant Seen Posing Threat to Pound
1006 GMT - The Omicron coronavirus variant poses a threat to the
pound's outlook, ING says. "A worsening of the virus situation
globally and specifically in the U.K. may not only put upward
pressure on EUR/GBP due to the pound's higher sensitivity to risk
sentiment but may also mean markets could increasingly price out a
December [interest] rate hike by the Bank of England," ING forex
strategist Francesco Pesole says. While it's too early to draw
conclusions on that, a "choppy risk environment" may lift EUR/GBP
on Tuesday, he says. EUR/GBP gains 0.3% to a two-week high of
0.8510, according to FactSet.(renae.dyer@wsj.com)
Companies News:
WPP Acquires Cloud Commerce Group for Undisclosed Sum
WPP PLC said Tuesday that it has acquired U.K.-based e-commerce
technology platform Cloud Commerce Group for an undisclosed
sum.
---
Marston's FY 2021 Loss Narrowed on Lower Exceptional Costs
Marston's PLC on Tuesday reported a narrowed loss for the year
ended Oct. 2, reflecting lower net exceptional costs, and said that
current performance is encouraging.
---
Pennon 1H Pretax Profit Rose
Pennon Group PLC on Tuesday reported improved earnings for the
first half of the fiscal year, helped by the acquisition of Bristol
Water in June.
---
Topps Tiles Swung to FY 2021 Pretax Profit; Resumes Dividend
Topps Tiles PLC reported Tuesday a swing to pretax profit for
fiscal 2021 boosted by higher revenue and reinstated its dividend
payout.
---
MGC Pharmaceuticals to Raise GBP5.5 Mln Via Share Placing
MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said Tuesday that it received support
to raise 5.5 million pounds ($7.3 million) via a share placing, and
that it will put the money toward its Covid-19 treatment CimetrA, a
new Malta production facility and for general working capital
purposes.
---
Countryside Swung to FY 2021 Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose
Countryside Properties PLC said Tuesday it swung to a pretax
profit for fiscal 2021 on the back of an increase in homes sold and
selling prices.
---
Micro Focus International Targets 1%-2% Medium-Term Rev
Growth
Micro Focus International PLC said Tuesday that it is targeting
medium-term revenue growth of 1%-2% and the cutting of $400 million
to $500 million in costs by the end of fiscal 2023.
---
DP Eurasia Ten-Month Sales Rose 52%
DP Eurasia NV said Tuesday that its sales grew 52% in the first
ten months of the year, reflecting strong demand in Turkey.
---
EasyJet FY 2021 Pretax Loss Narrowed, Revenue Fell Due to
Covid-19
EasyJet PLC said Tuesday that its fiscal 2021 pretax loss
narrowed, beating market expectations on the back of reduced costs
and that it expects to recover further in the new year, though
revenue fell.
---
Future FY 2021 Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose
Future PLC said Tuesday that profit for fiscal 2021 rose as
revenue increased, and raised its guidance for fiscal 2022.
---
Town Centre Securities Posts Narrowed FY 2021 Pretax Loss
Town Centre Securities PLC said Tuesday that its pretax loss
narrowed in fiscal 2021, as it benefited from revaluations of its
portfolio, though revenue fell.
---
Sosandar 1H Pretax Loss Narrowed; Performance Ahead of FY
Expectations
Sosandar PLC on Tuesday reported a narrowed pretax loss for the
first half of fiscal 2022, backed by higher revenue as
coronavirus-related restrictions eased, and said it is currently
operating ahead of market expectations.
---
Hochschild to Acquire Brazil-Focused Miner Amarillo Gold
Hochschild Mining PLC said Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire
TSX-listed Amarillo Gold Corp. for a transaction value of 164.5
million Canadian dollars (US$129.1 million).
---
One Media iP Group Sees FY 2021 Revenue, Ebitda Increase
One Media iP Group PLC said Tuesday that it expects to report
increased revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization for fiscal 2021.
---
Greencore Group Swung to FY 2021 Pretax Profit as Revenue
Rose
Greencore Group PLC said Tuesday that it swung to a pretax
profit for fiscal 2021 as revenue rose after the food-to-go and
convenience categories posted growth.
---
VP PLC Reports 1H Profit, Sees FY 2022 Performance in Line
VP PLC on Tuesday reported improved earnings for the first half
of the fiscal year, and forecast a full-year performance in line
with internal expectations.
---
John Menzies Sees 2021 in Line With Views; Warns on Labor
Shortages
John Menzies PLC said Tuesday that the board expects 2021
performance to be at least in line with market expectations, but
noted that labor availability, particularly in North America,
remains challenging.
---
GB Group 1H Pretax Profit Fell; 2H Seen in Line With Views
GB Group PLC said Tuesday that pretax profit fell for the first
half of fiscal 2022 after booking higher costs, and that the board
was confident of meeting its financial expectations for the
remainder of the fiscal year.
Market Talk:
Hochschild's Acquisition of Amarillo Looks Very Affordable, Peel
Hunt Says
1016 GMT - Hochschild's acquisition of Amarillo Gold and the
cost of building the Posse project is very affordable for the FTSE
250 mining company, Peel Hunt says. The transaction, which has a
net cost of C$135 million, also provides a good use of cash, being
deployed into a long life-of-mine, lower-risk gold growth project
outside Peru, the brokerage says. In addition, the development of
the Posse gold project should increase Hochschild's production by
20%-25% by 2024 and help lower the company's operating costs, Peel
Hunt says. (jaime.llinares@wsj.com)
EasyJet Focuses on Building Back Capacity Despite Omicron
0955 GMT - EasyJet's focus is on building back growth into the
next summer, indicating demand is accelerating with key periods
such as October half-term and the ski and Christmas seasons seeing
strong performances, Davy Research says. EasyJet's plan is to
continue to add capacity--it expects to fly around 70% of 2019
capacity in the upcoming second quarter, and fourth-quarter summer
capacity will be close to 2019 levels, the Irish research firm
says. "Although EasyJet says that it is too soon to see the impact
of Omicron, second half summer revenue booked is ahead of fiscal
2019," Davy says, retaining its neutral rating on the budget
airline stock. Shares are down 2.1% at 492.2 pence.
(joseph.hoppe@wsj.com)
Contact: London NewsPlus, paul.larkins@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 30, 2021 06:10 ET (11:10 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.