The FTSE 100 slipped after a volatile start this morning as unemployment figures showed the number of UK job vacancies fell over the three months to August, ahead of the Bank of England’s latest interest rate call next month.
Bitcoin soared meanwhile, on news that world-leading bitcoin investment vehicle Greyscale won an appeal against the US SEC to list as a spot ETF on US equity markets.
Among equities, it was Barclays leading headlines this morning, as the bank reported mixed results. A strong performance in its credit card business was overshadowed by the need to tackle costs, the bank said, with pre-tax profit declining by 4%.
Elsewhere shares in distribution specialist Bunzl took a hit this morning as a weaker pound and continued decline of Covid product demand hit sales over the third quarter.
AG Barr shares moved marginally higher after announcing the acquisition of soft drink peer Rio Tropical in a £12.3 million deal.
Home furnishings firm SCS skyrocketed meanwhile on news it had agreed to a £99.4 million bid approach from Italian firm Poltronesofà.
And finally in small caps, Angling Direct moved higher after reporting growth in profits over the first half of the year on strong sales.