Good morning and a happy new year - you’re with me Katie Pilbeam.
The FTSE 100 is off to a flying start on the first full working day of 2022 with airlines the big movers so far this Tuesday thanks to fresh data that the Omicron virus variant might be less severe than initially feared and therefore less likely to hinder global economic recovery.
British Airways owner IAG is up 8%, while engine maker Rolls Royce rose 3.5% after selling its Norway-based Bergen Engines business. And after revealing its passenger numbers for December, Wizzair is up with over 2.5 million people on board.
Elsewhere, new data from the British Retail Consortium shows UK shop prices rose 0.8% in December, which was the largest monthly rise since March 2019. Food price inflation was the biggest jump at 2.4%.
Apple has got off to a great 2022 - now officially the first company with a 3 trillion dollar valuation on the stock market. And staying stateside, Tesla’s shares jumped over 13% percent on the back of strong production and delivery numbers for the past quarter.
In small cap news, SigmaRoc announced the purchase of Johnston Quarry for £35.5m. The new additions specialise in products that are typically used in infrastructure projects as well as unique Bath stone used for high-end housebuilding.
Chamberlin shares rose after its iron and steel casting foundry in Scunthorpe was awarded a new order for components to be used in the construction of a major London based infrastructure project.
Conroy Gold was up over 4% after it had announced it had signed a joint venture agreement over the licenses held by Conroy Gold.