As the triggering of Article 50 looms, starting the process of the UK's departure from the EU, the FTSE 100 rallies by 0.37% to 7370.66, following up yesterday's gains.
Conversely, the Shanghai Composite Index closed down by 0.36% at 3,241.31. But economists predict the Article 50 trigger will provide little new information to alter real economic activity.
Johnston Press (JPR) shares drop by almost 15% to 18.75p in early trading as the publisher's results today show a 6% decline in revenues. Its operating profit also tumbled by 14.5%, taking a real hit with its print advertising revenues which are down by almost 9%.
Another media stock, Centaur Media (CAU), is also not having the greatest start to the day, its share price falling by almost 5% to 44p as it releases 2016 results. While the firm's revenues are up 3% to £72.5m its operating profits are down by £1.4m to £9.1m. Like others in the sector, Centaur places the blame squarely on the fall in advertising revenues, saying that it will result in a 2017 profit reduction although hopes to reverse that in 2018.
Delivery services company DX Group's (DX.) share price rockets 16.67% to 10.5p in early trading as the firm announces a major new contract win worth over £10m a year. It is now going to provide services to one of the UK's most iconic beauty brands Avon, possibly putting the 'Avon lady' out of business.
Sabien Technology (SNT:AIM) plummets almost 46% to 1.62p as it places 47.5m shares with its investors in a bid to fund 40 new M2G projects for the company's clients this year. The shares are being placed at a price of 1p which is a considerable discount to its closing price yesterday of 3p. M2G is an energy efficiency technology and the firm's chief executive officer Alan O'Brien is confident that this move should prompt 'material orders' of the product going forward.
Regional airline Flybe's (FLYB) share price is down almost 7% as it releases a statement describing the fourth quarter of last year. It says that the period was characterised by weak demand in an uncertain consumer market and tough price competition from rival airlines. Given these market conditions, the firm expects to report a small loss for year ended 31 March 2017.
