FTSE 100 was going nowhere at the start of trading even though US markets hit new record highs overnight. London’s blue-chip index was almost unchanged at 7,148 in early dealings.
GlaxoSmithKline has started phase III trials of a Covid-19 vaccine that will test itself against rival AstraZeneca’s jab. Glaxo is working with Korean firm SK Bio on the vaccine and will test 4,000 patients in the study.
Robinhood Markets Inc (NASDAQ:HOOD) (NASDAQ:HOOD) might soon have a new competitor after it was reported that PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) (NASDAQ:PYPL) is exploring how to allow customers to buy stocks and shares on its website. The payments giant has 400mln accounts and started providing cryptocurrency trading earlier in 2021.
Britons have a £371bn hole in their savings according to the Yorkshire Building Society. That is the difference between savings held currently and what people feel they need to be financially secure said the lender.
Among the small caps, IronRidge Resources Ltd (AIM:IRR, FRA:BSG) (AIM:IRR, FRA:BSG) has completed a transaction with Piedmont Lithium Inc (ASX:PLL, NASDAQ:PLL, XETRA:) (ASX:PLL, NASDAQ:PLL, XETRA:) for financing at the Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana. Piedmont will fully fund and fast track development of Ewoyaa for US$102mln.
Meanwhile, Futura Medical PLC (AIM:FUM) (AIM:FUM) has inked a licensing deal to market its fast-acting erectile dysfunction gel across Brazil and Mexico. The UK group will receive milestone payments of US$8.5mln.
Thor Mining PLC (AIM:THR, FRA:T5MC, OTCQB:THORF, ASX:THR) (AIM:THR, FRA:T5MC, OTCQB:THORF, ASX:THR) has hit further significant copper and gold intercepts at the Alford East project in Australia. The results so far have been way above expectations.