FTSE 100 moved higher again even though the date of all UK Covid restrictions being lifted has been pushed back to 19 July due to the spread of the Delta variant. London’s blue-chip index rose 30 points to 7,176.
Boris Johnson though is reportedly "determined" that the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England will be lifted on 19 July, according to Downing Street sources. The PM confirmed a four-week delay last night, a move greeted with dismay by the hospitality sector.
Online fashion retailer Boohoo (LON:BOO) reported a 32% rise in sales in its latest quarter despite a tough year-on-year comparison. New brands helped revenues rise to £486mln.
AstraZeneca’s (AZN.L) monoclonal antibody treatment, AZD7442 missed its main target of preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in a trial. Participants were unvaccinated adults older than 18 years with confirmed exposure to a person with the coronavirus within the past eight days.
Among the small caps, Westminster Group PLC (LON:WSG) has been awarded a long-term contract to provide security services to five airports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It will run for an initial 20 years with a five-year renewal thereafter.
MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd’s (ASX:MXC)(LON:MXC) epilepsy treatment will be covered by the Irish authorities. It means it will be free of charge for Irish patients with a prescription.
Kavango Resources PLC’s (LON:KAV) latest analysis indicates that the Kalahari Suture Zone project in Botswana could contain major metal mineralisation. The miner is planning further drilling.
