The FTSE 100 made a sluggish start ahead of US inflation data later with Ashtead again leading the fallers after its profit warning yesterday.
London’s main index was down 27 points at 8,252 in early trades with some of the selling offset by upbeat statements from BAT and Endeavour Mining.
BAT flagged improving numbers from its non-tobacco business as a highlight in its trading update, which reiterated previous guidance for the current year.
Endeavour Mining said that the numbers from a preliminary study point to a new project at Assafou in the Ivory Coast becoming a Tier-One gold-producing mine. Shares in the miner topped the FTSE 100 on the news.
Elsewhere, Germany-based holiday group TUI produced sparkling full-year results with profits up by a third but said it won’t repeat the trick in the current year, though it still expects decent trading. TUI is one of the batch of companies that have quit London’s stock market, for Frankfurt in its case.
Underlining the strength of travel currently, Heathrow today said it is preparing for its busiest Christmas season ever.