UK market update – UK inflation slows, Persimmon forward sales rise

© Reuters

By Samuel Indyk

Investing.com – At 09:12BST, the FTSE 100 is trading lower by 0.2% at 7,166. The midcap FTSE 250 is trading higher by 0.2% at 23,734.

In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3750, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8525. The US Dollar Index is down 0.1%.

Today’s calendar highlights include Eurozone, Canadian CPI, and US housing starts & building permits.  

Data

UK CPI fell back to 2.0% in July versus expectations of 2.3%. Inflation fell back across a broad range of goods and services, including clothing, according to the ONS. However, this was offset by a sharp rise in second hand cars.

Stocks

Persimmon (LON:PSN) – H1 new home completions increase to 7,406 from 4,900 in 2020. Total revenue £1.84 billion. Forward sales of £2.23 billion, up around 9% on 2019 trading year. Anticipate delivering circa 10% growth in sales completions this year.

AJ Bell (LON:AJBA) – Appoints Michael Summersgill to newly created role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Roger Stott has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer

Hochschild Mining (LON:HOCM) – H1 revenue up 70% to $394.8 million. On track to deliver overall 2021 production target of 360,000-372,000 gold equivalent ounces or 31-32 million silver equivalent ounces.

Balfour Beatty (LON:BALF) – H1 underlying profit from operations at £60 million (previous loss of £14 million). Reiterates 2021 PFO outlook for earnings based business to be in line with 2019. Interim dividend increased 43% on 2019 level to 3.0 pence.

Network International (LON:NETW) – H1 revenue grew 16.5% to $156.4 million. Expected EBITDA and profit outturn for the full year unchanged. Expects lower capex during the year.

Rotork (LON:ROR) – Commences share buyback programme to repurchase up to £50 million of shares.

Old Mutual (LON:OMU) – H1 results from operations expected to increase 37%-47% from 2020 levels.

Meggitt (LON:MGGT) – Transdigm (NYSE:TDG) CEO Kevin Stein said Transdigm was interested in buying “good solid assets in the aerospace world.” Previously, the company had made an unsolicited bid for Meggitt.