London shares fell for a fourth day, but travel firm TUI AG (LON:TUI) managed to buck the trend.
Europe’s largest tour operator gave an optimistic forecast for the travel sector despite the recent terror attacks.
Of 38 western tourists killed in the massacre at Sousse in June, 33 had booked their holidays through the firm.
Costs including holiday cancellations are now estimated at €52mln.
TUI said its upbeat outlook "demonstrates the resilience of our business model, against the backdrop of the tragic events in Tunisia in June 2015 and geopolitical turbulence in some of our other destinations".
In the year to September, underlying earnings [EBITDA] rose to €1bn (£720mln).
The firm was also optimistic for his year and sees operating profit likely to rise “at least 10%” following a boost from northern Europe. Shares flew almost 5%, or 54p, to 1,175p.
It wasn’t enough to lift the FTSE100, however, which was lower for the fourth day in a row.
Alastair McCaig at IG said: “While investors have hunted for reasons to be optimistic, precious few have materialised.”
The index had lost around 23 points by lunch to 6,103, with Sports Direct (LON:SPD) firmly entrenched at the bottom.
The retailer, owned by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, said sales for the period were flat at £1.4bn, with retail sales growth slowing to 0.2%. Shares dropped 12.7% or 85p to 580p.
It was a better day for the miners, however, with Glencore (LON:GLEN) announcing it has ramped up its cost-cutting programme as it aims to cut its net debt to US$18bn by the end of next year.
IG’s McCaig said: “Glencore’s investor update had the primary role of instilling confidence into its battered shareholders.” Shares rallied 11%, or almost 10p, to 92p.
In economic news, the monetary policy committee again voted 8-1 to keep interest rates at 0.5%.
Samuel Toombs at Pantheon Macro said: “The markets have interpreted the minutes as markedly dovish, and the Committee’s statement that there is ‘no mechanical link’ between its and other central banks’ monetary policy seems to be an attempt to stamp on the view that Fed rate hikes will force the MPC’s hand.”
On the small cap front, Independent Oil & Gas (LON:IOG) told investors that a contract has now been signed with AGR Well Management for the planned Skipper appraisal well. Shares gained 14.8% to 7.75p.
Elsewhere, Forte Energy (LON:FTE) said it expects to reveal a corporate transaction in the next week or so that will see a recapitalisation.
The company added that the deal would also see a change of business, out of the resources sector. Shares rocketed 363%% to 0.03p.
Conversely, Premier African Minerals (LON:PREM), fell around 21% to 0.4p after the company issued new shares at that price to a single investor to raise £112,500 to provide funds for development work on its RHA mine.
LONDON OPEN
London’s blue-chip stocks continued lower on Thursday, as a slew of mixed earnings reports weighed on the UK’s main index.
Sports Direct International (LON:SPD), which owns the Slazenger, Dunlop, Everlast, Karrimor and Lonsdale brands, said sales for the period were flat at £1.4bn, with retail sales growth slowing to 0.2%.
Cantor Fitzgerald said: "The interim results were a little behind the curve,” and the retailer, owned by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, saw its stock drop more than 92p, or 14%, to 573p this morning.
Meanwhile, Whitbread (LON:WTB) dropped 1%, or around 47p, to 4,432p after the Costa Coffee and Premier Inn owner said its hotel chain had a good third quarter while the coffee brand was a little softer.
Shore Capital said: “The group states it is on track with its growth milestones with total sales ahead 11% YTD, which is slightly below our full year expectations.”
Both contribute to another down day for the FTSE100, which slipped around 20 points to 6,106.
The index fell despite a rare foray into the green for the miners, after Glencore (LON:GLEN) said it has ramped up its cost-cutting programme as it aims to cut its net debt to US$18bn by the end of next year. Shares rallied 11%, or almost 10p, to 91p.
Also higher was British Gas owner Centrica (LON:CNA), which forecast overall earnings in line with hopes, but said UK retail margins would take a hit from lower household bills. Shares gained 4%, or 8p, to 214p.
Elsewhere, travel firm TUI AG (LON:TUI), Europe’s largest tour operator, said operating profit is likely to rise by “at least 10%” this year following a boost from Northern Europe. Shares flew 5.6% or 63p to 1,184p.
In the small cap space, the big gainer was Forte Energy (LON:FTE) expects to reveal a corporate transaction in the next week or so that will see a recapitalisation.
The company added that the deal would also see a change of business, out of the resources sector. Shares rocketed 32% to 0.007p.
Also soaring was Nanoco Group (LON:NANO), which cheered the market with an upbeat AGM statement
Anthony Clinch, Nanoco's chairman, declared 2016 would be a landmark year for the company, pushing shares 14.3% higher to 120p.
Conversely, Premier African Minerals (LON:PREM), fell around 21.0% to 0.4p after the company issued new shares at that price to a single investor to raise £112,500 to provide funds for development work on its RHA mine.
Meanwhile, cloud and mobile IT investment company Tern (LON:TERN) increased its investment in its subsidiary Cryptosoft.
The tech-investor is investing a further £500,000 in its subsidiary by way of a loan facility for working capital as cash flow continues to increase. Shares eased 20% to 13p.