The FTSE 100 started the week on the back foot following a lacklustre session in Asian markets. London’s leading index shed 13 points to 7,109 in early trading.
Philip Morris International Inc (NYSE:PM). has come back with a higher offer for Vectura Group PLC (AIM:VEC) after private equity firm Carlyle emerged as the preferred bidder last week. The respiratory drugs producer was valued at £1bn.
Health secretary Sajid Javid has asked the UK competition watchdog to investigate the pricing of PCR tests for international travel. They cost around £75 each on average but some companies charge up to £500 to deliver results quickly.
Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (LSE:HL.) has posted record full-year results after a boom in demand during the pandemic. The trading platform also saw a record number of new clients.
Among the small caps, Catenae Innovation PLC (AIM:CTEA, FRA:NZS0) has won a contract from Shetland Space Centre, the satellite launch site and ground station. The tech company will help design a digital dashboard to enable SaxaVord to monitor live satellite operations remotely from anywhere in the world.
Open Orphan PLC (AIM:ORPH, FRA:CRO) said its hVIVO operation has successfully developed a malaria challenge model. It will be used to help develop the next generation of drugs and vaccines from November.
Zephyr Energy PLC has completed the drilling of a well in the Paradox basin, Utah. It encountered the primary reservoir target alongside its secondary targets.