The FTSE 100 closed up 1.3% on Wednesday on the back of travel, retail and energy stocks, with IAG, Ocado and Shell the top risers. The index managed to temporarily recover its losses for the week as stronger energy prices and yields drove gains, with the market awaiting the outcome of the U.S. Federal Reserve's latest meeting. "We've also seen a belated bounce in travel shares after the uncertainty at the beginning of this week, as the imminent dropping of testing for fully vaccinated passengers sees a sharp rally in the likes of IAG, easyJet and Holiday Inn owner IHG," Michael Hewson at CMC Markets said. 


 
Companies News:

Sage Group Says 1Q Was in Line; Backs FY 2022 Guidance

Sage Group PLC said Wednesday that growth was in line with expectations in the first quarter of its fiscal 2022 and it backed its guidance for the full year.

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U.K. Watchdog Issues Enforcement Order on National Express, Stagecoach Deal

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority on Wednesday issued an initial enforcement order on National Express Group PLC's planned takeover of Stagecoach Group PLC, preventing the companies from fully combining while it considers the deal.

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Fresnillo Operations in Mexico Hit by Omicron Variant, New Labor Rules

Fresnillo PLC on Wednesday said that the pandemic and the new labor reform in Mexico is hampering its mining operations, and forecast lower gold production for this year.

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Brewin Dolphin 1Q Total Funds Under Management Rose

Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC said Wednesday that its total funds under management rose in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, benefiting from growth across both its direct and indirect business.

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Playtech Notes Media Speculation on Future; Reiterates Support for Aristocrat Bid

Playtech PLC said Wednesday that it has noted recent media speculation on its future strategy and that it reiterates its recommendation that shareholders vote in favor of the offer from Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

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Wizz Air 3Q Pretax Loss Widened; Warns on 4Q Results

Wizz Air Holdings PLC on Wednesday reported a widened pretax loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 after booking significantly higher prices and seeing the average revenue per passenger decrease, and warned of a hit from the impact of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in the last quarter of the year.

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Tullow Oil Sees 2021 Free Cash Flow Ahead of Guidance

Tullow Oil PLC said Wednesday that it expects to report better-than-expected free cash flow for 2021, reflecting supportive oil prices, focus on costs and favorable working capital movements.

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Bloomsbury Publishing Says FY 2022 Revenue, Profit to Beat Expectations

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC said Wednesday that it expects to report revenue and profit ahead of market expectations for fiscal 2022.

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Digital 9 Infrastructure Raises GBP95.2 Mln via Share Placing

Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC said Wednesday that it has raised 95.2 million pounds ($128.6 million) via the share placing announced earlier this month.

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Pets at Home Expects FY2022 Underlying Pretax Pft to Beat Market Views After Strong 3Q

Pets at Home Group PLC said Wednesday that revenue increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, and that it expects to post a full-year underlying pretax profit above market expectations.

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Quilter 4Q Assets Under Management Rose 13%

Quilter PLC said Wednesday that assets under management rose 13% in the fourth quarter of 2021. 


 
Market Talk:

Unilever Reorganization Should Bring Higher Growth Rates

1212 GMT - Unilever's restructuring echoes the changes made at Procter & Gamble, also campaigned by activist investor Nelson Peltz, and it should drive higher growth rates, Jefferies says. "[The reorganization is a] pre-emptive rebuttal, we presume, of the charge that this is a knee-jerk response to post-GSK criticism and the disclosure of stakebuilding by activist investor Trian," Jefferies says. The consumer-goods company's announcement provides a serious message about the evolution of the business, according to Jefferies. The U.S. bank has a buy rating on the stock and a price target of 4,650.0 pence. Shares fall 2% to 3,858.0 pence. (michael.susin@wsj.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Write to Sarka Halas at sarka.halas@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-26-22 1258ET