The UK financial watchdog's probe into the insurance industry's prices for paying in monthly instalments was played down by City analysts, after a big government-led announcement on Wednesday morning.
Launched as part of a new government 'task force' focused on the insurance sector, the Financial Conduct Authority investigation it to examine whether people are being overcharged to pay for car and home insurance in instalments, which is funded via premium finance.
WH Smith PLC (LSE:SMWH) has been in focus this year due to the return to growth of its US business, suggests broker Berenberg.
Its view on the US arm is also upbeat, but the broker says that other parts of the business are also doing well notably the UK travel arm where sales are up 10% like-for-like this year so far.
Pub chain Marston’s PLC (LSE:MARS) was full of ambitious rhetoric in an operational update ahead of today’s capital markets day (CMD).
After selling off its 40% share in its brewing joint venture with Carlsberg back to the Danish beer giant for £206 million in July, Marston’s is looking to the future as a pure-play hospitality business.
Gold prices have risen to a new record high, topping $2,680, which analysts attributed to movements in government bond markets.
In short, inflation expectations on both sides of the Atlantic have eased this week, leading to rising expectations for interest rate cuts and therefore putting pressure on bond yields, which makes gold more attractive to some investors.
While interim results from Whitbread PLC (LSE:WTB) saw profits fall more than expected, Barclays said the updated five-year plan meant there were more positives than negatives in the numbers.
Adjusted profit before tax from the FTSE 100 hotels group fell 13% to £340 million, which was below the £350 million consensus forecast and is likely to lead to a 2-4% reduction on full-year PBT cut by the City today, even if there are more cost savings than expected, analysts at Barclays said.