The FTSE 100 was flat at 7,476.45 in early trading as traders held their fire ahead of today's non-farm payrolls data from the US.
Housebuilders were under pressure after reports the Government is considering scrapping the Help to Buy scheme. Taylor Wimpey (TW.) led the sector lower down 4.5% at 186.4p.
Government-owned Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) gained 3.6% to 265.5p as it beats forecasts for second quarter operating profit. The bank posted a total of £1.7bn - against an consensus forecast of £1.04bn. The bank also announces contingency plans for a 'hard' Brexit by setting up headquarters in Amsterdam where it has an existing banking licence.
Educational publisher Pearson (PSON) is up 3.5% to 692.7p as management grasp the nettle by slashing the first half dividend by 72% and unveiling a restructuring programme which will involve shedding 3,000 jobs. We first flagged a likely dividend cut in January.
Payment processing firm Paysafe (PAYS) gains 1.3% to 600.4p as it recommends a £2.96bn cash takeover offer from private equity firms Blackstone and CVC. We wrote about the increasing M&A in this sector here.
Consultancy RPS (RPS) is up 3.9% to 276.8p as first half results reveal adjusted pre-tax profit up 35% to £27.2m and says it will 'modestly exceed market expectations for the full year'.
Irish oil explorer Providence Resources (PVR:AIM) sinks 42.5% to 9.12p as results from drilling on its Druid prospect off the west coast of Ireland disappoint. Drilling on the well will now continue to test the Drombeg target some 1,000 metres beneath Druid.
Fellow AIM oil firm Europa Oil & Gas (EOG:AIM) falls 8.5% to 6.75p in sympathy as it has assets in the same Porcupine basin.
Collectables firm Stanley Gibbons (SGI:AIM) is down 10.5% to 8.5p after the sale of its interiors division collapses as suitor Millicent is unable to secure the funds necessary to complete the deal.
Pollster and market research firm YouGov (YOU:AIM) gains 5.8% to 275p as it guides for results for the year to 31 July to be ahead of previous expectations.
