FTSE 100 rallied after the cryptocurrency inspired carnage of yesterday that at one point saw Bitcoin shed 40% of its value. London’s blue-chip index was 24 points to 6,975.
Britain has a nationalised rail service again or Great British Railways to be precise as the government announced its long-awaited shake-up. GBR will handle timetables, prices, tickets and rail infrastructure while train operators will run the service on a fee basis.
Royal Mail Group PLC (LON:RMG) has restarted dividend payments as the surge in parcel deliveries during Covid-19 lockdown periods sent profits up four-fold to £726mln. The postal group added it now has the “breathing space to transform”.
Telecoms giant BT Group PLC (LON:BT.A) is facing the prospect of stiffer competition after UK regulators gave the green light to a merger between broadband and TV provider (NASDAQ:VMED) Virgin Media and major mobile network O2. The deal is “unlikely to lead to any substantial lessening of competition” said the CMA.
Among the small caps, David Beckham-backed Guild Esports PLC (LON:GILD) has achieved an audience milestone after hitting half a million social media followers across all channels. The esports group has also launched the first major expansion to its apparel line, Patch Collection.
Thor Mining PLC (LON:THR) has been awarded A$300,000 from the South Australia Government. The funds will be used for its Alford East Copper-Gold Project.
Applied Graphene Materials PLC (LON:AGM) shares picked up on news it has joined the Nanotechnology Industries Association. It’s an international organisation aimed at advancing the innovation and commercialisation of the next-generation nanotechnologies.