FTSE 100 index slid again as investors reacted nervously to the ratcheting up of tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine. London’s blue-chip index fell 52 to 7,441.
An activist fund led by veteran US financier Nelson has built a stake in Unilever heaping more pressure on its management. The household products group was roundly criticised for its recent attempt to buy Glaxo’s consumer arm, which has turned the spotlight on its own performance.
Vodafone reportedly held talks to acquire Three UK and is now working on a tie-up with Italian group Iliad, according to reports over the weekend. The telecoms giant itself is reportedly coming under pressure from activists after a poor share price showing recently.
Brits are resigning from their jobs at the fastest rate seen since 2009. Redundancies in the UK are at their lowest levels since the mid-90s, while open vacancies is the highest on record.
Banknote printer De La Rue said “Covid headwinds” were behind a profit warning today. Supply chain cost inflation and shortages in chips and other process raw materials are also factors.
Among the small caps, AdvancedAdvT has upped its offer to buy ad agency M&C Saatchi. The new proposal includes a 40p-per-share in cash option compared to the previous all-share offer.
Panther Metals has announced its first batch of assay results from drilling at the Dotted Lake property in Ontario. “Finding gold mineralisation widely dispersed in the first sa