FTSE 100 opened at a new 18-month high as investors continued to ignore all of the headlines with airlines higher as lower cost Covid tests were confirmed for 24 October. Miners were also going well again with London’s blue chip index up 12 at 7,220 in early trades.
Wealth manager Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (LSE:HL.) (LSE:HL.) reported lower revenue in the past quarter compared to the same period last year as share dealing volumes declined. Revenues were £142.2mln for the three months to 30 September or down 1% on last year.
Contactless cards now have a payment limit of £100, up from £45 previously though it will take months for tills to adapt to the new amount said shop owners. Banks have warned the new limit will spark a wave of crime and have questioned if it is necessary.
Bitcoin hit a six-month high on Friday and is edging towards US$60,000 on reports that the US is poised to approve trading in a crypto-based exchange-traded fund for the first time. Bitcoin rose 4% to around US$59,660 yesterday.
Among the small caps, Silence Therapeutics PLC has teamed up with China’s Hansoh Pharma in a deal that could be worth US$1.3bn in milestone payments. The group is also cancelling its AIM shares to make the Nasdaq listing its primary one.
Zephyr Energy) is starting operations at the State 16-2LN-CC well on Monday. It’s located at the company’s flagship project in the Paradox Basin, Utah.
Iofina PLC (AIM:IOF, OTC:IOFNF) said iodine production is going well and prices are continuing to firm with demand strong and supply tight. The group expects to meet production targets for the second half.