FTSE 100 made marginal gains today, opening 9 points higher to 7,525. Housebuilders lead the way as data late yesterday showed UK house prices grew at the fastest pace for 18 years with no signs of slowing down.
‘Bleak Friday’ as it has been dubbed saw household bills surge across the board today . Heating bills jumped by 54% as the new price cap came into effect, while April Fool’s Day has also seen rises in council tax, water bills and broadband tariffs.
As a result of the price cap hike, two in five households in the UK are now classified as being in fuel poverty according to reports. The number rises to over half if only single-parent households are considered.
US meme stock favourite GameStop Corp (NYSE:GME) joined the trend for stock splits, announcing it is planning one of its own, sending its shares shooting higher overnight. It plans to request approval from shareholders for an increase the number of shares to one billion from 300mln.
Among the small caps, timber specialist Woodbois turned profitable in 2021. It also added that trading in the first quarter of the year was ahead of the same period last year, despite continued shipping challenges.
Love Hemp announced it has been included on the Food Standard Agency’s (FSA) public list of cannabidiol (CBD) products. Inclusion enables the consumer goods company to progress to the validation stage.
Trident Royalties said that the first gold has been poured at the Santa Luz Mine in Brazil, one of its portfolio off take assets. The pour makes thirteen assets that are now generating cash, said the royalty specialist.