FTSE 100 opened lower as vaccine optimism was dampened by rising COVID-19 infections and the impeding Brexit deal. London’s main index shed 15 points to 6,405 in early trading.
easyJet PLC (LON:EZJ) didn’t help the mood as it posted its first ever full-year loss. The airline racked up an eye-watering £1.2bn deficit after passenger numbers halved due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Vodafone PLC (LON:VOD) said mobile mast business Vantage Towers will pay out 60% of its recurring cash flow as dividends after it lists next year. That would amount to €280mln in the year to March 2021 based on current forecasts.
Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is going to be the largest company to ever be added to the S&P 500 index after its inclusion was confirmed overnight. The electric car maker currently has market cap of more than US$380bn.
Among the small caps, AFC-Energy-PLC agreement with BK Gulf to beef up manufacturing capacity of its hydrogen fuel cell system. BK Gulf is part of Middle Eastern conglomerate Dutco Group.
Live-Company-Group-PLC (LON:LVCG) confirmed an order for 1,000 bespoke brick sets from Jagex, a UK video game developer and publisher. Jagex is best known for its flagship game RuneScape, an online roleplaying game with around 13mln players.
Bahamas-Petroleum-Company-PLC/]Bahamas Petroleum Company said the Perseverance-1 exploration well is on track to spud before the end of 2020. The company is advancing the major exploration project on a 100%-owned basis.