FTSE 100 opened in the red after the latest inflation data came in higher than forecasts. London’s leading index lost 14 points to 6,734 in early trading. UK prices rose 0.7% in the year to January and are expected to jump further as demand increases over the next months. Food and more expensive household goods pushed up prices amid a home improvement frenzy. Rio Tinto PLC (LON:RIO) announced a special dividend to take the amount paid to shareholders in 2020 to US$9bn. Strong iron ore prices meant cash poured into the mining giant during a year overshadowed by it dynamiting a 40,000 year old aboriginal site at Juukan Gorge. Hargreaves Lansdown PLC (LON:HL.) co-founder and former director Peter Hargreaves has pocketed nearly £300mln after selling a chunk of his shares. He still owns 19.8% of the financial services company. Ceres Holdings PLC (LON:CWR) said revenues in its upcoming results would beat market expectations while its order book heading into 2021 was also very strong. The AIM-listed fuel cell pioneer said revenue and other operating will come it at around £32-33mln. Molecular diagnostics specialist Genedrive PLC (LON:GDR) made the first US shipments of its Covid-19 diagnostic test. Partner Beckman Coulter will begin the US ramp-up and commercial roll-out following the product’s launch on Wednesday. Evgen Pharma (LON:EVG) said 102 patients had been recruited and randomised to the STAR trial for its COVID-19 treatment. The trial is sponsored by the University of Dundee and funded by the UK charity LifeArc.
17 Feb 21