BHP PLC and fellow big cap miners remain under pressure due to lower commodity

BHP PLC (), () and Rio Tinto () were all down 2% to 2,149p, 1,701.5p and 5,688p respectively on Wednesday before close.

Miners have been under pressure due to the lower copper price, which recently dipped below US$4 per pound, while softer iron ore prices are also a drag.

The upcoming approval of Joe Biden’s stimulus package should boost recovery in the US, but demand growth in China is still fairly lukewarm.

2.30pm:  in demand after cutting full-year losses

Group PLC () moved 6% higher to 62.6p in the early afternoon after reporting a sharp reduction in full-year losses as a result of a strong second half.

For the year to December 31, the estate agent reported a statutory pre-tax loss of £1.4mln, narrowed from an £8.8mln loss in the prior year, despite revenues sliding to £93.5mln from £106.9mln in 2019.

The sales commission pipeline began the year 30% higher year-on-year which has led to improved revenue growth, with sales for the first two months of 2021 “well ahead” last year’s levels.

1.50pm: Is ITV down because Piers Morgan is leaving?

() dropped 6% to 119.26p at midday, with analysts wondering whether it’s because Piers Morgan is leaving tv show Good Morning Britain.

Investors may be a little worried about the loss of ratings for the morning programme, as it wasn’t exactly doing that well before he joined and its primetime slot will have repercussions for ads, according to Neil Wilson at Markets.com.

“Love or loathe, Morgan boosted ratings,” he said. “It could also be that investors are worried about an investigation over comments made by Morgan on air. Shares were hit yesterday after it revealed the way in which lockdowns have hit ad revenues, but indicated things are picking up and Studios can drive new growth. today calls it a buy. You cannot be owning ITV and worry about one host, can you?”

11.45am: Kin and Carta surges on the back of confident outlook

Kin and Carta PLC () rose 9% to 161p in the late morning after expressing confidence of achieving significant growth in the second half and meeting expectations for the full year.

The digital strategy firm said market demand continues to increase in all of its regions, as evidenced by its growing pipeline and record backlog.

In the half-year to January 31, net revenue was down 10% to £64mln while loss before tax remained flat at £6mln.

10.25am:  slips after completing financial restructuring

Limited () slipped 13% to 1.37p after announcing it has completed the restructuring of the group, which involves new governance arrangements and cashflow controls.

The miner has partially reinstated notes debt with holders of existing notes contributing with US$30mln of new money, with the new notes amounting to US$337mln including the New Money and fees paid as part of the transaction in New Notes.

It has also converted the remainder of the Notes debt into equity, so the Noteholder group now holds 91% of the enlarged share capital of the .

Remaining in the natural resources sector, () shed 9% to 10.75p after admitting that no amicable settlement with either joint venture partner in Slovenia has been reached to-date.

The energy firm has been in dispute with Geoenergo and the local service provider Petrol Geo, in relation to historic amounts claimed of €235,000.

Meanwhile, Petrol Geo has issued a local enforcement order attempting to claim payment for an unsubstantiated amount of €662,288 plus interest of €12,103 so Ascent has taken legal advice.

9.30am: Sabien Technology rises after establishing US subsidiary

() was an early riser on Wednesday, adding 9% to 0.12p after incorporating Sabien, Inc, its wholly owned US subsidiary.

The US arm, to operate from Texas, will be used to source acquisition opportunities and to build and operate distribution channels for its European businesses.

The…