The FTSE 100 is 36.23 points higher this morning at 7,373.66 taking its cue from strength in US and Asian markets overnight as concerns over North Korea died down.
Troubled tool hire outfit HSS Hire (HSS) slumps 18.9% to 45p as it warns a recovery in sales will be ‘materially slower’ than expected and reports an increase in its first half pre-tax loss from £7.8m to £30.1m.
Soft furnishings business Dunelm (DNLM) reveals the departure of chief executive John Browett with immediate effect. Somewhat confusingly the company says Browett is stepping down for personal reasons but goes on to say ‘the next phase of growth’ for the company ‘requires different leadership’. The shares are down 2% at 586p.
Technical products business Diploma (DPLM) ticks up 2.5% to £10.54 as it reports continued positive trading in the second half of the year and confirms it remains on track to hit full year expectations. Group revenue is expected to be up 17% although underlying organic growth is expected to be a more modest 6% as the company is benefitting from acquisitions and currency movements.
Newsagent WH Smith (SMWH) says results for the year to the end of August are on target and flags opportunities in its travel division which delivered a strong performance and opened its first outlets in Italy. The shares are ahead 0.4% to £18.56.
Indian power generation business OPG Power Ventures (OPG:AIM) slumps 23% to 32.5p as it warns higher coal prices are likely to hit results in its current financial year running to the end of March 2018.
Uranium miner Berkeley Energia (BKY:AIM) gains 13% to 51.25p as it announces a $120m financing package with a sovereign wealth fund in Oman which can bring its Salamanca project in Spain into production.
