FTSE on guard ahead of February’s key data reports

FTSE 100 paused for breath as traders await tomorrow’s UK retail sales and economic data for February. London’s main index edged up 2 points to 6,713.

() has restarted dividend payments after the FCA lifted a ban imposed during the first lockdown. Full-year profits fell by 30% to £3bn after bad debt provisions more than doubled to nearly £5bn.

() meanwhile will pay out £150mln in special dividends. Half-year net fees tumbled 25% and the recruiter is now focusing on the sectors most in demand, such as Life Sciences and the Green Economy.

One of the key players in the Gamestop share buying frenzy has been served with a class action lawsuit. Keith Gill, aka Roaring Kitty, is alleged to have illegally promoted the stock and hidden his financial background.

Group PLC () will post record sales helped by deliveries of ventilators for Covid-19 patients. Revenue for the year just ended rose 52% to £36.8mln said the healthcare group.

() has unearthed new high grade veins across the Arzu North area of the Kiziltepe project in Turkey. The company used geochemical sampling and geological interpretation to identify the gold trends.

Likewise, () said an independent desktop remote sensing study has identified gold targets at its licence package in central Cameroon. An initial 12 priority gold targets have been identified for follow-up.