1. Direct Line soars after £520m sale bolsters finances
The news came as the FTSE 250-listed insurer unveiled a sharp rise in half-year pre-tax losses to £76.3 million from £11.1 million the year before.
2. Pets at Home shares rocked by CMA market review
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said today that it has launched a probe into consolidation in the £2 billion market to discover whether vet surgeries are offering customers adequate services at fair prices.
3. Melrose soars to post-pandemic high as guidance updated, buyback brought forward
Underlying profit (EBITDA) came in at £175 million, more than double the previous year, and guidance for the full year has been increased.
4. Jet2 raises profit guidance
Summer 2023 on-sale seat capacity remained largely consistent with the number reported at its results in July, up 7.3% higher on Summer 2022.
5. FTSE 100 closes up 16 points at 7,442
London's blue chips recovered from early losses boosted by a drop in the pound