8 January 2021 | 07:24am
StockMarketWire.com - Barratt Developments said it expected to resume dividend payments in February, and the homebuilder lifted its expectations on annual completions following a better-than-expected first half.
The company said it now expected wholly owned completions to be between 15,250 and 15,750 homes in FY21, up from a previous forecast of 14,500 to 15,000.
The company forecast a lower level of completions for its second half relative to the first half, reflecting the reduced level of work in progress carried forward at December 2020 compared to June 2020.
The company reported construction activity in the first half that was slightly ahead of planned output.
8 January 2021 | 11:59am
StockMarketWire.com - The FTSE 100 was just about on course to end the week on a high point by Friday lunchtime. By midday the index was up a handful of points up 6,863.57, extending its stellar start to 2021.
Wall Street stocks hit record highs on Thursday after Congress confirmed Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election, boosting hopes for additional economic stimulus. US futures suggested this momentum would be sustained when trading resumes later.
Asian shares also climbed, with the Nikkei hitting a 30-year high.
Marks & Spencer reported a slump in profits in the run up to Christmas as trading restrictions resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic continue to take their toll.