UKX FTSE 100 Index

FTSE 100 to Fall After Late Wall Street Selloff, Weak UK Retail Sales Data

The FTSE 100 is seen opening lower after U.S. stocks fell in the final hour of Thursday trade, giving up gains earlier in the session. Spreadbetting firm IG expects the London index to open down 65 points. "The inability of U.S. markets to hold onto yesterday's move higher is a worry and could well indicate the potential for further losses in the coming days," CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson says. The late U.S. selloff looks set to prompt European markets to open sharply lower on Friday after Asia markets followed suit, he says. Meanwhile, investors are digesting data that showed U.K. retail sales dropped 0.9% on year in December, versus the 3.4% increase expected in a WSJ survey of economists.

 
Companies News: 

Restaurant Group Sees 2021 Ebitda at Top End of Guidance

Restaurant Group PLC said Friday that it expects 2021 earnings to be at the top end of its guidance range.

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Everyman Media Sees Doubled 2021 Revenue, Ebitda Ahead of Market Forecasts

Everyman Media Group PLC said Friday that revenue doubled on year in 2021, driven by strong admissions since re-opening post Covid-19 restrictions, and that Ebitda is expected ahead of current market forecasts.

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OnTheMarket Sees 2H Earnings Ahead of Expectations

OnTheMarket PLC said Friday that its adjusted operating profit for the second half of fiscal 2022 is expected to be ahead of expectations.

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ADM Energy Raises GBP561,000 Via Share Issue

ADM Energy PLC said Friday it has raised 561,000 pounds ($762,960) through a share issue to United Arab Emirates-based investment firm Optima Resources Holding Ltd.

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Character Group Sees FY 2022 Underlying Pretax Profit in Line With Views

Character Group PLC said on Friday that it expects fiscal 2022 underlying pretax profit to be in line with market expectations, and that it maintained a steady performance in the lead up to and through the Christmas period.

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Funds Advised by Apax Partners Sell 7% Stake in Baltic Classifieds for GBP78 Mln

Funds advised by Apax Partners LLP have sold a 7% stake in Baltic Classifieds Group PLC for around 78 million pounds ($106.1 million).

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M&C Saatchi Says UK Regulator Ends Probe; Sees 2021 Headline Pretax Profit Ahead of Views

M&C Saatchi PLC said Friday that the U.K. finance regulator is closing an investigation of the company without taking enforcement action, and that its 2021 headline pretax profit is now expected to be materially ahead of previous expectations.

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Eurocell Sees 2021 Profit Slightly Ahead of Market Views

Eurocell PLC said Friday that it expects to report 2021 pretax profit slightly ahead of market expectations.

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Photo-Me International CEO Launches GBP283.5 Mln Mandatory Offer After Share Purchase

Photo-Me International PLC's Chief Executive Serge Crasnianski is launching a mandatory 283.5 million pound ($385.6 million) takeover for the London-listed photobooth, printing and laundry-equipment company after buying shares that boost his shareholding to 36.5% of the company's issued share capital.

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Close Brothers Loan Book Rose, Boosted by New-Business Levels

Close Brothers Group PLC said Friday that it has delivered a positive performance in its current fiscal year, benefiting from momentum in its businesses and a increased demand.

 
Market Talk: 

Nuclear Energy Investments Tipped to Rise Over Next Two Years

Global nuclear-energy investments are tipped to rise over the next two years, Rystad Energy says, forecasting $45 billion of investments in 2022 and $46 billion in 2023. This compares with $44 billion spent in 2021, the energy consulting firm says. Global installed nuclear power capacity totaled 400 gigawatts in 2021, accounting for 10% of global electricity generation, Rystad notes. "Nuclear generation is the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity after hydropower and has been in use since the 1950s. With the imperative to cut emissions stepping up worldwide, nuclear power generation is set to play an important role in the push to limit global warming," it says.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Write to Sarka Halas at sarka.halas@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 21, 2022 03:10 ET (08:10 GMT)

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