London's FTSE 100 started the week on the front foot with the US closed for Labor Day. London’s leading index added 32 points to 7,171 in early deals.
Scottish Mortgage Trust (LON:SMT) topped the leader board early on after the tech-heavy Nasdaq closed Friday’s session in record territory once more. SMT has long been a proxy for US tech giants for UK investors.
Staff shortages could last for up to two years, the CBI warned. Government needs to take action on visas for foreign workers and stop “waiting for shortages to solve themselves” said the employers’ organisation.
Ikea meanwhile is the latest company to be hit by a shortage of lorry drivers. UK and Ireland stores have had issues with 1,000 product lines, corresponding to 10% of its total stock.
Among the small caps, Powerhouse Energy Group PLC (AIM:PHE, FRA:BT81) (AIM:PHE, FRA:BT81) has clarified speculation around a tie-up that could potentially see its DMG waste plastic recycling technology deployed by industrial gases giant Linde. PHE said a DMG licensee had been working with the German group – most recently on a technical feasibility evaluation.
Tirupati Graphite PLC (LSE:TGR) (LSE:TGR) (LSE:TGR) has completed the installation and commissioning of its first 9,000 tonnes per year flake graphite module at its Vatomina project in Madagascar.
Challenger Energy Group PLC (AIM:CEG) (AIM:CEG) has received a key certification from the Trinidad and Tobago authorities. It has been awarded the STOW-TT (Safe to Work in Trinidad & Tobago) certification from the government, confirming compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental standards.