FTSE 100 Falls Even as Stocks Rise Elsewhere

0811 GMT - The FTSE 100 falls 0.3% to 7560 points even as other European stocks indices rise following gains in Asia and on Wall Street. "A signal of possible stimulus from Chinese authorities aiming to avert an economic slowdown following new Covid-related lockdowns led to a positive session in Asia, which has failed to wash through to the U.K. in early exchanges," Interactive Investor analyst Richard Hunter says in a note. The FTSE 100 remains in the relatively isolated position of remaining positive so far this year, having added 2.3% in the year to date, supported by its exposure to defensive stocks, a generous average dividend yield and an ample presence of oil and mining stocks, he says. (renae.dyer@wsj.com) 


 
Companies News:

Ashmore Assets Under Management Fell 10% on Quarter in 3Q

Ashmore Group PLC said Thursday that its assets under management fell 10% over the third quarter of the fiscal year.

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Ninety One 4Q Assets Under Management Increased Significantly

Ninety One PLC said Thursday that assets under management for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 increased significantly from a year earlier.

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National Grid Expects 2022 Earnings to Beat Prior Guidance

National Grid PLC said Thursday that it anticipates that fiscal 2022 underlying earnings per share will be modestly higher than previous guidance, and expects to complete the sale of its Rhode Island unit in the first quarter.

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Halma Acquires Underwater Robot Manufacturer Deep Trekker for C$60 Mln

Halma PLC said Thursday that it has acquired underwater robots manufacturer Deep Trekker Inc. for 60 million Canadian dollars ($47.8 million) on a cash and debt free basis.

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Brooks Macdonald's 3Q Funds Under Management Fell on Weaker Global Markets

Brooks Macdonald Group PLC said Thursday that funds under management fell over the third quarter of fiscal 2022, dragged by the war in Ukraine.

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Smiths Group CFO John Shipsey to Step Down; Clare Scherrer Named

Smiths Group PLC said Thursday that Chief Financial Officer John Shipsey is stepping down from the role by mutual agreement on April 29, and that it has appointed Clare Scherrer as his replacement.

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Mediclinic International Expects to Report FY 2022 Revenue Rise

Mediclinic International PLC said on Thursday that it expects to report a rise in revenue for fiscal 2022, and that it sees positive momentum in client activity driving revenue growth and margins in the year ahead.

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Wizz Air Expects Widened Net Loss for FY 2022

Wizz Air Holdings PLC said Thursday that it expects to report a widened net loss for fiscal 2022, and that it is starting to see a recovery taking shape as it moves closer to the summer season.

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Dunelm 3Q Sales Rose on Successful Winter Sale

Dunelm Group PLC said Thursday that total sales increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, adding that customers responded well to its winter sale despite a hit in the final three weeks of the quarter due to the Omicron wave of the coronavirus.

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Hays 3Q Net Fees Grew on Like-For-Like Basis; Backs Full-Year Operating Profit Guidance

Hays PLC said Thursday that net fees rose 32% on a like-for-like basis in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 to a record high, and reiterated its full-year operating profit guidance.

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Polar Capital FY 2022 Assets Under Management Rose; Outlook Positive

Polar Capital Holdings PLC said Thursday that assets under management increased in fiscal 2022 because of a combination of outperformance, net inflows and market improvement.

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React Group Plans GBP5.5 Mln Share Placing to Support Acquisitions

React Group PLC said Thursday it intends to raise 5.5 million pounds ($7.2 million) in a share placing, to support its acquisition growth strategy and for general working capital.

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finnCap to Report Rise in FY 2022 Revenue, Pretax Profit in Line with Views

finnCap Group PLC said Thursday that revenue for fiscal 2022 is expected to have increased, with adjusted pretax profit in line with expectations.

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Norcros Expects to Post Higher FY 2022 Revenue; Gets GBP130 Mln Loan

Norcros PLC said Thursday that it expects to report a rise in fiscal 2022 revenue, and that it has secured a 130 million-pound ($170.5 million) loan.

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Renold Says FY 2022 Revenue Rose on Strong Order Intake Momentum

Renold PLC said Thursday that revenue for fiscal 2022 increased, as the momentum in order intake and turnover of the first half continued into the second half of the financial year.

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Oilex Shares Fall on Need for Extra Funds to Meet Higher-Than-Expected Costs at Cambay Field

Shares in Oilex Ltd. fell Thursday after the company said it intends to raise additional funds next month as a result of higher-than-expected re-fracking costs and a delay to the start up of gas production at the Cambay gas field in India. 


 
Market Talk:

Bunzl Seen as an Inflation Winner

0804 GMT - Bunzl emerged a postpandemic winner after its shares became extremely cheap during the coronavirus pandemic's early stages, Berenberg says. Analysts at Berenberg view the distribution-and-outsourcing company as a relative inflation winner as it passes on price increases and extracts small profit gains from base material and product price inflation, with shares rising accordingly by around 26% since Berenberg's last stock rating upgrade in July. "The shares have now reached the opposite extreme in terms of market-relative valuation, and with the intensity of inflationary profit tailwinds likely to moderate from here, we see little more room for upside," the German brokerage says. Berenberg downgrades its rating on the stock to hold from buy, and raises its target price to 2,950 pence from 2,750 pence.(anthony.orunagoriainoff@dowjones.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-14-22 0428ET