FTSE 100 Ends Down, Falling Behind European Peers

The FTSE 100 closed Wednesday down 0.43%, an improved performance over yesterday but still behind its European peers which broadly ended the session in the green. A mixture of stocks--containing some heavyweight names like HSBC--have taken the index lower, IG Group chief market analyst Chris Beachamp says in a research note. A rallying pound won't help matters, but the lack of any continued rebound this year speaks to continued disillusion among global investors regarding the prospects of the U.K. economy, Beauchamp says. HSBC ended the session down around 2%.

COMPANIES NEWS:

Hargreaves Lansdown Names Alison Platt as Chair, Penny James as Interim

Hargreaves Lansdown appointed Alison Platt as its new chair, succeeding Deanna Oppenheimer who will be stepping down after six years in the role.

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Harbour Energy Backs Views Despite Output Fall

Harbour Energy backed its full-year outlook after reporting a fall in output in the first nine months of the year.

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Deliveroo Targets Stronger GTV Growth Over Longer Term; Backs Guidance

Deliveroo set out a plan to grow gross transaction value in the mid-teens percentage a year over the longer term and backed its guidance for 2023 ahead of its capital markets day.

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Impax Asset Management Says Costs Weighed on Profit; Names New Chair

Impax Asset Management Group said its pretax profit for fiscal 2023 slipped on higher operating costs and appointed Simon O'Regan as its incoming chair.

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Pennon Group Pretax Profit Plummets on Higher Costs

Pennon Group said its pretax profit dropped in the first half of 2023 due to higher costs, although the overall financial performance was in line with its expectations.

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Halfords Lowers Pretax Profit Target on Market Volatility

Halfords narrowed down its pretax profit expectations for fiscal 2024 after experiencing volatile trading patterns.

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Plexus Shares Plunge After Pretax Loss Narrows, Revenue Falls

Shares in Plexus Holdings dropped as much as 20% after the company booked a narrowed pretax loss and a fall in revenue in fiscal 2023, but said it expects to return to profit in fiscal 2024.

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Esken's Losses Widen on Heavier Financing Costs

Esken said that its pretax loss for the first half of fiscal 2024 widened due to higher financing costs as it continues disposing of assets, and it is taking steps to strengthen its balance sheet to secure a new owner for London Southend Airport.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires;

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 29, 2023 12:10 ET (17:10 GMT)

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