News that talks on trade between the US and China will continue in February helps support a modest advance in the FTSE 100, up 0.3% to 6,990.34, ahead of the key US jobs report later.
Broadband supplier TalkTalk Telecom (TALK) falls 9.9% to 100.6p as it warns annual earnings will fall short of market expectations due to investment spend and accounting changes.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the year through March is now expected at between £245m and £250m, marking an increase from £197m. However, the guidance is below the current consensus analysts' forecast of £259m.
For the 2020 financial year, TalkTalk says it is confident of meeting market expectations for a rise in EBITDA to £271m.
Gambling firm Paddy Power Betfair (PPB) buys a 51% stake in Georgian online gambling company Adjarabet for £101m and has an option to acquire the rest of the company after three years.
The remaining 49% could be bought at a valuation equivalent to seven times 2021 EBITDA. Paddy Power shares are flat at £62.65.
In 2018, Adjarabet generated revenues of 215m Georgian Lari (£64m) and EBITDA of GEL68m (£20m).
Plastic packaging company and takeover target RPC Group (RPC) posts flat earnings performance in the third quarter owing to higher polymer prices and weak Christmas trading.
The company also confirms it will engage with Berry Global Group, which on Thursday made a bid for the company rivaling a £3.3bn offer from Apollo Global Management. The shares are broadly flat at 793.5p.
Power utility SSE (SSE) agrees to sell a 49.9% stake in its Stronelairg and Dunmaglass wind farms in Scotland to Greencoat UK Wind (UKW) and a partner for £635m. SSE ticks up 0.3% to £11.74.
Greencoat, meanwhile, says it would raise up to £131m to help fund the deal by issuing new shares in the company at 127p each. It falls 1.35% to 132p.
Information company Euromoney (ERM) says trading in the final quarter of the year hit expectations even as revenue slips. Its shares tick up 0.8% to £12.50.
Revenue for the three months to 31 December 2018 fell to £92.6m from £100.8m. Underlying revenue, which excludes disposals and discontinued operations, rose 1%.
Underlying subscription revenue advances 1%, with strong 9% growth in the pricing, data & market intelligence segment more than offset a 4% reduction in asset management.
Lifestyle and travel services provider to the super-rich Ten Lifestyle (TENG:AIM) sinks 10.8% to 37p on news its president Toby Gauvain has sold £120,000 worth of shares.
