The FTSE 100 has extended its losses after a positive open this morning, with the blue-chip index shedding a third of a percent to 8,652 in the first half hour of trade.
Leading the decliners, shares in Clarkson fell 17% after the shipping services group reported an excellent set of results but warned of the geopolitical uncertainty as US tariffs cloud the outlook.
Assura Group's shares rallied more than 14% on news it has given the thumbs up a £1.6 billion takeover bid from KKR and Stonepeak Partners.
After rejecting several previous offers, the board of the UK healthcare property investor said the consortium has now upped its bid to a potential cash offer of 49.4p per share.
Meanwhile, Alliance Pharma is being taken private by its biggest shareholder in a deal that values the business at just under £362 million.
Deliveroo's shares are also higher this morning after it announced it is selling up and moving out of Hong Kong after nine years, suggesting it was not a "disciplined" use of its capital.
And BP has shrugged off a weaker oil price following a report yesterday that US activist investor Elliott Management is unhappy with the strategy "reset" that the oil giant presented to investors at the end of last month.
The hedge fund instead wants BP to sell its petrol stations business as it embarks on an aggressive campaign to improve the performance of the oil giant.
