The FTSE 100 adopted a wait and see approach as political events in US grabbed the attention as Donald Trump faces a second impeachment vote later today. London’s blue-chip index rose 1 to 6,755.
Small cap Synairgen made the coronavirus headlines as the first overseas trial patient was dosed with its inhaled formulation of interferon beta-1a treatment. Dosing so far has only taken place in hospitalised trial patients in the UK.
Online fashion giant ASOS’s () full-year profit before tax will be at the top end of market expectations after trading in the four months to December topped forecasts. Investment in product, pricing and marketing and stronger than anticipated consumer demand boosted sales, said the AIM-listed firm.
Just Eat, meanwhile, saw order numbers in the final quarter of 2020 jump 57% year on year, the third quarterly increase in succession. Management now expects calendar-year revenues to be up more than 50% compared to the year before.
Among the small caps, () topped revenue forecasts last year, with sales soaring 70% to £12mln. The data and e-commerce specialist benefited from the rise in online shopping during the pandemic.
() has begun a £1mln programme funded by the UK government. The firm is building a system to detect airborne viruses, including COVID-19, in busy places such as hospitals and airports.
() says joint venture partner Newcrest Mining has approved A$146mln in funding for the Havieron project in Western Australia. The money is for the construction of the box cut, exploration decline and associated surface infrastructure at the gold mine.
Read More: FTSE gains against all odds, as Trump impeachment vote looms