The FTSE 100 slumped in early trading on fears of fresh lockdowns in China, before recovering as the morning wore on.
The main story this morning is that not only is football coming home, but so too is former Disney CEO Bob Iger who will again head the theme park and film group that he left in February 2020. Current CEO Bob Chapek is leaving after a 40% share price drop this year.
Here in the UK Catering company Compass has rewarded patient shareholders with a 125% dividend hike and £250mln share buy-back as the business roared backed after Covid. Underlying profits jumped 88% in the year just ended.
Virgin Money too reported a strong increase in profits in the year to September. It also unveiled a new share buy-back as higher interest rates gave a boost to margins.
Video game support specialist Keywords Studios was also bullish, sharing news that revenue and profits for 2022 will beat market forecasts helped by a strong dollar.
Kefi Gold has agreed the details of the US$320mln costings and finance plan to build its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia. Final sign-off is expected next month.