The FTSE 100 opens up flat on Monday morning despite robust gains in Asia overnight. At 7,718.46 the index is less than 1% away from the record close posted in January 2018.
British Gas owner Centrica (CNA) reports a boost to energy demand from colder than normal weather but also increased call-out costs. This adds up to lower first half adjusted operating profit compared to the same period a year ago.
Despite the expected decrease in first-half adjusted operating profit, the firm says it remains on track to achieve its 2018 targets. Adjusted operating cash flow is expected to be in the range £2.1bn to £2.3bn.
Centrica says it had lost 110,000 domestic customers since January - a slower rate of decline relative to the average of 2017. The shares are up 0.3% to 147.6p.
Chemicals firm Victrex (VCT) slips 3.8% to £26.24 thanks to a weak performance from its medical division, which saw revenue fall on a constant currency basis in the six months to 31 March.
Technical products provider Diploma (DPLM) ticks up 0.9% to £12.53 as it raises its interim dividend by 10%, reporting first-half pre-tax profit up 8% amid a strong global trading environment.
For the six months to the end of March, pre-tax profit is up 8% to £35.4m, while revenue is ahead by 8% to £234.9m.
Support services minnow Servoca (SVCA:AIM) falls 41.4% to 10.25p as it reveals plans to cancel its AIM quote.
Natural fertiliser firm Harvest Minerals (HMI:AIM) gains 23% to 20.75p as the Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil conditionally approves its application to register KPfertil as a remineraliser, final approval is expected later this quarter.
Business software firm Cerillion (CER:AIM) falls 7% to 133p as the company reports no growth in adjusted pre-tax profit for its half year to 31 March.
Specialty chemicals business Hardide (HDD:AIM) gains 9.6% to 2p as it posts first half revenue up 43% to £2.16m with group operating losses narrowed from £0.69m to £0.32m.
