The FTSE 100 continues its ascent after yesterday’s rise on the back of some certainty regarding the French election, and is up 7 points. The index is still recovering from the impact of last week’s snap UK general election announcement.
Telecoms firm Sepura (SEPU) is the biggest riser in early trading, its share price up 6.7% to 12p. The Spanish Competition Commission says that it does not need to review the £74m takeover of Sepura by Chinese professional mobile radio firm Hytera. The removal of this uncertainty seems to have buoyed investors in the company.
At the other end of the scale, Costa Coffee owner Whitbread (WTB) is one of the biggest fallers this morning, its share price down by 6.8% to £40.15. The company reports decent results for year ending March 2, its pre-tax profits up to £515.4m from £487.7m. However is also warns of a tougher consumer environment for the year ahead.
Connect Group (CNCT) sees it share price decline by 3.7% as its results for the six months to 28 February are down on the same period last year. Its pre-tax profit and earnings per share are down by 4.8% and 5.3% respectively.
Payment services and share registrar business Equiniti's (EQN) share price is up by 2.5% to 213.5p after the firm says it expects to deliver results in line with market expectations. It also has announced new clients including Sainsbury's, House of Fraser and a partnership with Aon Hewitt.
Advanced car testing firm AB Dynamics (ADBP:AIM) sees its share price decline by 4.7% to 574p despite releasing a strong set of results. The market also did not seem impressed by the company's increased dividend which according to chief executive Tim Rogers 'underlines the strength of the business and future prospects'.
