Johnson Matthey, up 1.4%, in its interim results, announced that revenues dropped to £6,531.0m from £7,328.0m recorded in the same period previous year. However, the company has proposed an interim dividend of 22.0p (1H 2022/23: 22.0p) per ordinary share, which would be paid on 06 February 2024.
Hilton Food Group, down 0.4%, announced that Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Christine Cross would resign from the Board, effective 04 December 2023. Additionally, the company confirmed the appointment of Sarah Perry as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective 04 December 2023, who would also join the Audit, Remuneration and Nominations Committees.
Darktrace, up 1.3%, announced that it has appointed Jill Popelka and Paula Hansen as independent Non-Executive Directors, with effect from 01 January 2024.
Frontier Developments, down 22.5%, announced that its Jurassic World Evolution 2: Cretaceous Predator Pack, a new PDLC would be available on 30 November in partnership with Universal Products & Experiences on various platforms like PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, Windows Store and GeForce Now, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4 and Xbox One for a suggested retail price of £5.99/$7.99/€7.99. Sareum Holdings, down 7.7%, announced that it has drawn down on the £0.3m Second Deposit in respect of the previously announced Equity Prepayment Facility.
Science Group, down 4.0%, in its trading update, announced that it expects its annual adjusted operating profit to be in line with board’s expectations. However, its revenues for the period have been impacted by the global economic and geopolitical climate.
Netcall, down 6.8%, announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Henrik Bang would move to Non-Executive Chair role while the current Group Finance Director, James Ormondroyd will become CEO, with effect from 01 January 2024. Additionally, Richard Hughes would join the company as Chief Financial Officer on 27 November 2023 and Nigel Halkes would join the Company as Non-Executive Director on 01 December 2023. Further, Michael Neville, Non-Executive Director will step down on 29 February 2024.
CyanConnode Holdings, down 2.4%, announced that it has appointed Crowe UK LLP (Crowe) as the Group's new external auditor following resignation of Grant Thornton UK LLP (Grant Thornton) as the Group's auditor.
UK markets ended mostly lower last week. On the macro front, UK’s manufacturing PMI climbed to a six-month high in November, while the nation’s services PMI advanced to a 4-month high in November. Additionally, the GfK consumer confidence index improved in November, while the nation’s public sector net borrowing deficit widened less than expected in October. The FTSE 100 index declined 0.2% to settle at 7,488.2, while the FTSE AIM 100 index fell 0.4% to close at 3,437.0. Meanwhile, the FTSE techMARK 100 index gained 1.3% to end at 6,224.8.
US markets ended higher in the previous week, amid prospects that the US Federal Reserve might end its rate hike cycle. On the data front, the US services PMI unexpectedly rose in November, while the nation’s initial jobless claims declined more than expected in the week ended 17 November. Meanwhile, the US manufacturing PMI declined in November, while the nation’s durable goods orders fell more than expected in October, following a significant drop as orders for motor vehicles and parts. Additionally, the US Michigan consumer sentiment index fell for a fourth straight month in November, while the nation’s existing home sales declined to a 13-year low in October, amid higher mortgage rates. Also, the US Chicago Fed National Activity Index dropped in October. The DJIA index rose 1.3% to end at 35,390.2, while the NASDAQ index gained 0.9% to close at 14,250.9.
