FTSE 100 made lukewarm start after a rally on Wall Street following dovish Fed comments and a mixed performance in Asian markets. London’s leading index was up 6 at 7,096 in early trading.
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) will not let staff and clients in its New York offices unless they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Employees who have not been jabbed will have to work from home.
Berkeley Group PLC (LON:BKH) expects profits to be flat for the next two years. The London-focused housebuilder is going against national trends as the capital has lagged the pandemic-induced housing boom.
After much media speculation, the government has officially announced plans to sell Channel 4. It will also consider stricter rules for streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (NASDAQTLSA, LON:TILS) has signed a deal with contract research group FHI Clinical to carry out a phase II, proof-of-concept study on its nasally-administered antibody treatment for Coronavirus (COVID-19). The treatment will be given to hospitalised patients with severe Coronavirus as part of the Brazil trial.
Directa Plus PLC (LON:DCTA) said strong revenue growth seen in the first four months of 2021 has continued across the rest of its first half.
AFC Energy PLC (LON:AFC) (OTCMKTS:AFGYF) meanwhile expects to announce “multiple new system orders” in the second half of 2021 alongside new product releases. Discussions are also underway for a strategic collaboration in the maritime sector added the fuel cell specialist.