The FTSE 100 closed up 0.33% on Thursday on a relatively upbeat day, with the lack of U.S. involvement on Thanksgiving Day reducing volatility. "With an empty calendar before us, markets will find it hard to make much headway, but at least the pound and euro might get some respite after the avalanche of selling they have suffered as everyone piles into the U.S. dollar in expectation of a move to higher interest rates in the U.S.," IG Group chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp says. That said, breathing space might be slim given further indicators from the Fed that a rate hike is on the cards for 2022, unless data deteriorates in the first half of the year, Mr. Beauchamp says.

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 Expects Adjusted Pretax Profit to Drop in FY 2022; Shares Fall

Shares in Studio Retail Group PLC on Thursday fell after the company said it expects to post a decline in full-year adjusted pretax profit, despite a significant rise in pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2022.

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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.

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Headlam Expects 2021 Revenue to Meet Market Forecasts, Adjusted Pretax to Beat

Headlam Group PLC said Thursday that revenue is on track to meet market forecasts for the year with adjusted pretax profit expected to be "marginally ahead."

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James Latham 1H Profit Rose

James Latham PLC on Thursday reported a significantly improved profit for the first half of the fiscal year, but warned of continuing challenges in the supply chain and high costs.

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GENinCode Revenue Rises in Europe, as Expected

GENinCode PLC said Thursday that its European revenue increased in the second half, in line with market guidance.

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ECO Animal Health Shares Fall After 1H Results

ECO Animal Health Group PLC shares fell 16% in early trade Thursday after the company reported a reduced pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2022, which it blamed on a fall in China pig prices.

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Tharisa Sees FY 2021 EPS in the Range of $0.37 to $0.38

Tharisa PLC said Thursday that it expects to report earnings per share of between $0.37 and $0.38 for the year ended Sept. 30.

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MacFarlane Group Expects to Beat Previous Guidance for 2021

MacFarlane Group PLC said Thursday that it expects to beat previous earnings expectations for the year after a robust performance to date.

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Nuformix Shares Rise on Positive Trial Studies

Shares in Nuformix PLC rose 21% in early trade Thursday after the company reported positive data from initial pre-clinical studies of its new treatment NXP002 for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

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Michelmersh Brick to Report Market-Beating 2021 Revenue, Profit

Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC said Thursday that it expects to report market-beating revenue and profit for the year.

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Omega Diagnostics Shares Fall on Widened 1H Loss, Expired UK Government Contract

Shares in Omega Diagnostics Group PLC fell sharply Thursday after the company reported a widened loss for the first half of the financial year and confirmed that its contract with the U.K. Department of Health and Social Care has expired.

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Hill & Smith Says Four-Month Revenue Rose 4%, Is On Track to Hit 2021 Profit Forecast

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC said Thursday that revenue for the four months ended Oct. 31 has risen 4% on an organic constant-currency basis and that it remains on track to meet full-year consensus profit forecasts.

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Mears Sees 2021 Revenue Above Guidance; Adjusted Pretax Profit at Top End of Range

Mears Group PLC said Thursday that it expects to beat management's revenue expectations for 2021 with adjusted pretax profit at the top end of the previously guided range, as it benefits from good demand and contracts volume.

Market Talk: 

Mitchells & Butlers Gains as Profit Recovers

1046 GMT - Shares in Mitchells & Butlers rise 3% after the U.K. pub-restaurant group reported a narrowed full-year pretax loss and said profits are recovering as demand recovers from pandemic-related shutdowns. The company is making progress, but business and consumer wariness about rising coronavirus cases could mute Christmas sales, AJ Bell says. "Cost inflation is another big pressure and M&B could find it hard to pass this on to the customer in the form of higher prices," AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould says, adding that he believes the company might benefit from streamlining its line-up of brands. "One can't help but feel it needs to sharpen its focus." (philip.waller@wsj.com)

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