UKX FTSE 100 Index

Sterling Falls After Weak UK Retail Sales Data

0818 GMT - Sterling falls after data showed U.K. retail sales unexpectedly declined in December. Retail sales dropped 0.9% year-on-year, compared to the 3.4% increase expected by economists in a WSJ survey. Many consumers did Christmas shopping earlier than usual in November and stayed at home in December as the Omicron coronavirus variant spread. "Even as Plan B restrictions lift, the number of shoppers is unlikely to snap back to pre-pandemic times in high streets and city centre locations given that hybrid working is fast becoming the norm and household budgets are tightening," Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Susannah Streeter says. GBP/USD falls to 1.3566 after the data, from 1.3590 beforehand. EUR/GBP rises to 0.8355 from 0.8337. (renae.dyer@wsj.com)

 
Companies News: 

Ninety One's Assets Under Management Rose in 3Q

Ninety One PLC said Friday that its assets under management for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 increased when compared with the previous quarter.

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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.

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Metals Exploration Expects Production to Slide in 2022

Metals Exploration PLC on Friday reported record gold sales and revenue for 2021, but forecast lower production in 2022.

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4imprint Group Sees 2021 Revenue Rise, Pretax Profit at Upper End of Analyst Forecasts

4imprint Group PLC said Friday that it expects to report that revenue for 2021 was 41% higher on year and pretax profit was toward the upper end of analysts' forecasts.

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Record PLC Assets Under Management Grew $1.2 Bln in 3Q

Record PLC said Friday that its assets under management increased in the third quarter despite recording net outflows for the period.

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TheWorks.co.uk Expects FY2022 to Be Above Views; Pretax Loss Narrowed

TheWorks.co.uk PLC said Friday that it expects an improved performance for fiscal 2022, and that its half-year pretax loss narrowed.

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PHSC PLC Shares Jump on New GBP300,000 Share Buyback

Shares in PHSC PLC jumped Friday in early trading after it announced a fresh share buyback program for up to 300,000 pounds ($408,000).

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Totally Secures New Contracts, Extensions Valued at GBP54 Mln

Totally PLC said Friday it has secured new contracts and a number of extensions valued at around 54 million pounds ($73.4 million) for the provision of urgent-care services across North East England, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and South East London.

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Rockpool Acquisitions Terminates Proposed Acquisition of Greenview Gas

Rockpool Acquisitions PLC said Friday that it has terminated the proposed acquisition of Greenview Gas Ltd., and that the board is considering potential alternative acquisition targets.

 
Market Talk: 

Shell Hands Deer Park Refinery to Mexico's Pemex

1639 ET - Mexican state oil company Pemex took control of the Deer Park refinery, near Houston, after acquiring partner Shell Oil's 50% controlling stake for $596M, in addition to paying for inventories and Pemex's $596M share of the refinery's debt. During an event at Deer Park, Pemex CEO Octavio Romero says the state company will maintain technical and administrative efficiency of the refinery, and continue to operate under strict safety and environmental conditions. The acquisition is part of the Mexican government's plan to refine more of Pemex's own crude oil and reduce reliance on gasoline and other fuel imports. "The completion of this sale marks the start of a new chapter of our history in Deer Park," said Shell, which will continue to operate the adjacent Deer Park Chemicals plant. (anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Dow Jones Newswires; paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 21, 2022 03:39 ET (08:39 GMT)

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