Good morning from London where the FTSE 100 is up so far, back above that 7,500 point ceiling after a strong start from AstraZeneca PLC (LSE:AZN), BT Group PLC (LSE:BT.A) and Vodafone Group PLC (LSE:VOD). The markets are also getting a new iPhone to digest today - leaks so far suggest the lightning cable charger has gone on EU instructions, but little else is known so far.
Some fresh UK figures this morning show unemployment rose to 4.3% in July but real pay is no longer falling as wages climbed by a record 7.8% to match inflation.
Primark owner AB Foods raised profit guidance for a second time in four months after a strong performance in its food division. It says full-year operating profit should be “moderately ahead” of last year said the food and retail group. Discount grocers Aldi and Lidl meanwhile have lost market share to Tesco and Sainsbury’s for the first time in months, according to analysts Kantar. Price cuts by the two supermarket giants appear to be paying off in their battle for shoppers hard-earned pounds.
Finally in small caps, foreign exchange specialist Cornerstone FS PLC (AIM:CSFS) was a big early riser, recording a maiden pre-tax profit – you can hear all about it right here on Proactive in my interview with CEO James Hickman. That’s all for this morning, have a great day.
