Boris to discuss ban on Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine exports to the UK with EU

The Market Report with Katie Pilbeam. FTSE 100 lost ground as the latest sacking of a central bank governor in Turkey unsettled currency markets. The blue-chip index shed 20 to 6,880 with the spat over vaccines in Europe also a concern.  

A halt to exports to the UK of the Astra/Oxford jab might set Boris Johnson’s road to recovery back two months, reports today suggested. The PM will call EU leaders today to help find a resolution. The long-awaited US trial of the vaccine meanwhile found it to be safe and highly effective. 

The vaccine was 79% effective against stopping symptomatic Covid disease and 100% effective at preventing people from falling seriously ill with no blood clot issues.  

is looking to raise up to £1.7bn at its upcoming IPO after setting an offer price of 390-460p per share. The price range values the tech unicorn at between £7.6bn and £8.8bn. Kingfisher says coronavirus restrictions have created a whole new generation of DIYers. The B&Q owner’s underlying profits jumped 44% as people in lockdown spruced up their houses.

() raised $6.48mln of new capital to drill the Merlin-1 exploration well in Alaska. The company entered into a share subscription deal with ELKO International, a contractor in the live drill programme.

Futura-Medical-PLC/]) has agreed the protocol for a small confirmatory clinical study of MED3000 with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The study will be conducted prior to formal regulatory submission for erectile dysfunction gel. Last week, Futura got an indication of approval from the EU.