London Stocks Seen Opening Slightly Higher

The FTSE 100 index is expected to edge up around 9.1 points at the open, according to IG, having closed Wednesday at 7286.32, although markets are likely to be subdued due to the U.S. thanksgiving holiday. "The market mood is rather ok-ish after the FOMC minutes, although Federal Reserve minutes showed that the U.S. policymakers are now considering a faster QE taper and an earlier interest rate hike if inflation continues running higher," says Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote. The two-year U.S. Treasury yield keeps rising but appetite for U.S. equities hasn't been hit much as a result, she says. The Confederation of British Industry's latest distributive trades survey is due at 1100 GMT.

Companies News: 

UK Energy Supplier Bulb Enters Government-Funded Administration

British energy supplier Bulb Energy Ltd. has entered into special administration after it declared itself insolvent on Monday.

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Studio Retail 1H Pretax Profit Rose Significantly

Studio Retail Group PLC on Thursday reported a significant rise in pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2022 and said it is confident about its performance for the reminder of the year.

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Vivo Energy Agrees to $2.3 Bln Takeover By Vitol Group

Vivo Energy PLC said Thursday that it has agreed to a $2.3 billion takeover by VIP II Blue B.V., a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Vitol Investment Partnership II Ltd.

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Mothercare Swung to Pretax Profit in 1H

Mothercare PLC said Thursday that it swung to a pretax profit in the first half of fiscal 2022 as it implemented measures to improve profitability amid a return to pre-pandemic levels of business.

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Motorpoint Sees FY 2022 Profit Significantly Ahead of Expectations

Motorpoint Group PLC said Thursday that it expects performance for the year ending March 31 to be significantly ahead of expectations, and reported an improved profit for the first half.

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Mitchells & Butlers FY 2021 Pretax Loss Narrowed on Recovery in Demand

Mitchells & Butlers PLC on Thursday reported a narrowed pretax loss for fiscal 2021 and said it is returning to profitability as demand recovers from pandemic-related shutdowns.

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Motorpoint Appoints John Walden as Chairman

Motorpoint Group PLC said Thursday that it has appointed John Walden as nonexecutive chairman with effect from Jan. 10.

Market Talk: 

Rio Tinto Developing Own Standard for Carbon Offsets

Rio Tinto is developing an internal quality standard that will apply to any carbon offsets and has a particular interest in nature-based solutions, Goldman Sachs says, citing comments from the miner's head of energy development at a GS sustainability conference. While the world's No. 2 mining company says it will focus first on abatement of emissions, it recognizes carbon credits have a role to play in reaching carbon goals but also that not all offsets are equal, GS says. "Beneficial projects in and around existing operations are likely to be the first focus, though the business is also looking at carbon removals/CCS--in particular, carbon mineralization," says GS.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Write to Sarka Halas at sarka.halas@wsj.com