The UK markets remain lower as concerns about the slowdown in the Chinese economy continue to weigh on investors from Toyko to New York and all points between. While the UK's benchmark is not matching the market declines of the previous day, the FTSE 100 is still down 12 points at 6,046.59.
Commodities behemoth Glencore (GLEN) is leading the fallers again, shedding 4.9% to 127.05p, compounding its loss of almost 10% on the previous day's trading.
Elsewhere in the mining space, graphite producer Stratmin Global Resources (STGR:AIM) jumps 20.8% to 4.38p after striking a dealto sell up to 35% of its Loharano mine and processing operations for £2 million to Australia-listed Bass Metals (BSM:ASX). It is not clear how the latter will fund the deal as its last reported cash position was A$531,000.
Amid wider weakness in the oil and gas sector as crude prices retreat once more US-based Empyrean Energy (EME) is a notable faller - down 8% to 5.75p - as it reveals lower output from its 3%-owned Sugarloaf asset in Texas. Second quarter production was down marginally year-on-year due to flooding.
Online fashion retailer ASOS (ASC:AIM) cheapens 3.4% to £28.84 on confirmation visionary founder Nick Robertson has stepped down as chief executive officer (CEO) after 15 years in the role. He's staying with the business as a non-executive director, while chief operating officer Nick Beighton succeeds him in the hot seat. Read our news analysis here.
Discounting by rival sellers and bad weather have put Halfords (HFD) in a spin as it reveals poor cycle sales in the eight weeks to 28 August. The shares fall 8.1% to 468.55p. We take a closer look at this news in this story.
Cycling-to-trampoline seller Tandem (TND:AIM) slips 3% to 162.5p after revealin it will pay an initial £2.1 million cash to buy leisure products group ESC. The profitable business sells party tents, gazebos and fishing products under a range of brands including Airwave and Carpzone.
US-focused equipment rental firm Ashtead (AHT) leads the FTSE 350 gainers, adding 4.7% to 960p on solid first quarter results and a strong outlook for the full year. First quarter rental revenue rises 20% to £540 million and earnings per share gain 26% to 20.3p.
Low-cost Irish airline Ryanair (RYA) adds 2.3% to €12.40 after the Dublin-based carrier posted a 10% increase in August passenger traffic to 10.4 million customers. Load factor also rose, adding 2% to 95%.
Dairy and defence specialist Avon Rubber (AVON) advances 1.6% to 870p after the £272.7 million cap issued a robusttrading update.
