Another day of optimism over a potential debt ceiling deal in the US preceded an early rise by the FTSE 100 this morning, as investors were again reassured that a June government default could be avoided.
In the UK, Nationwide customers woke to welcome news that £100 would be distributed in their accounts following a 40% jump in the lender’s annual profits.
Asda staff faced a difficult morning however, following claims by GMB union that the supermarket may cut 7,000 jobs if workers do not accept pay cuts come November.
Smiths Group (LSE:SMIN) shares rose after the tech company lifted guidance on strong third-quarter results, which showed organic revenue up by 13.4% year-on-year.
Magners cider maker C&C Group plummeted meanwhile, after issuing warnings of a €25mln headwind due to the lengthy implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system.
And with the small caps, Genedrive shares soared after UK regulators endorsed in draft the use of its gene test in patients before administering stroke-prevention drug clopidogrel.