The Market Report with Katie Pilbeam. FTSE 100 shrugged of worries about the Oxford vaccine and headed higher in early dealings. London’s blue-chip index advanced 48 points to 6,797.
Experts from the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency will begin a review of AstraZeneca PLC’s (LON:AZN) COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. Europe’s health regulator will issue a decision on Thursday. Several European countries, including France and Spain halted their rollouts of the jab after a number of cases in Europe of blood clots reported after the vaccine was administered.
Greggs PLC (LON:GRG) announced plans to open 100 new company-managed shops this year, though it has just cut 820 jobs. The baker also slumped to its first full-year loss since 1984.
NatWest Group PLC (LON:NWG) is facing criminal charges over alleged breaches of money laundering laws. The bank is accused of failing to properly monitor the handling of funds by a corporate customer.
Bango PLC (LON:BGO), the data-driven commerce company, said revenues grew by 70% last year. End-user spend rose to £1.9bn from £1.1bn, representing the sixth consecutive year of strong growth in the amount of money passing through Bango’s system.
AFC Energy PLC (LON:AFC) said it signed a partnership with international consultancy and construction business Mace Group to support the transition to zero-emission hydrogen generators for construction sites. The hydrogen power specialist said the partnership is its first collaboration in the UK construction sector.
Inspiration Healthcare Group PLC (LON:IHC) said a Japanese distributor has placed an initial £400,000 order for its top-of-the-range neonatal ventilator after the technology received regulatory sign-off in the country. Also approved by the Japanese was the company’s OxyGenie oxygen control algorithm.