FTSE eyes football as news of new European Super League moves eyes on the ball

The Market Report with Katie Pilbeam.

FTSE 100 made modest early gains as markets reflected on the US records last week while a new European football league infuriated and distracted sports buffs. London’s blue-chip index was up 4 at 7,024. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham are among 12 clubs who have agreed to join a new European Super League (ESL). Making up 12 of Europe’s largest clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Barcelona who want to form a Champions League replacement run by themselves. Even Dutch bank Rabo had an opinion. BT, which currently shows some games, edged higher.

 () was also on the rise as it agreed to sell Nortek Air Management to Chicago-based Madison Industries for £2.62bn ($3.63bn).  Shareholders will get some of the proceeds while subsidiary ’s pension fund will receive £100mln.

Tesla’s driverless systems is under scrutiny again as two people were killed in Texas in an accident involving a Model S.  The car skidded off the road at high speed said local reports with the occupants in the front passenger and back seats.

Among the small caps, () expects to record its first profits in 2021. The gasification specialist said revenues will rocket seven-fold to €15mln this year.

() has been selected by Public Health England for diagnostics equipment and services. All of its three CE-marked products fall within the framework agreement.

() has secured contracts worth US$500,000 for 2021, taking the total new business for the year to US$6.5mln in revenues. The software developer is confident of meeting financial expectations.