European shares entered record territory again at the opening on Thursday as investors digested signals from the US Federal Reserve that it would not rush interest rate rises, and prepared for a policy decision from the Bank of England.
The pan-European Stoxx jumped 0.56% amid a deluge of corporate earnings with all major bourses higher after the Fed said it would begin scaling back its monthly bond purchases in November with plans to end them next year.
In corporate news, Danish business services group ISS topped the Stoxx as the company said about two thirds of its largest customers are now allowing about half of workforces to return to offices, up from only 10% at the end of July.
BT shares were up as the telecoms provider reported a fall in interim profits due to higher finance costs and partially offset by a rise in adjusted core earnings, but reaffirmed its outlook for 2022 and resumed dividend payments.
IMI stock gained 6% as the specialist engineer lifted earnings guidance after a better-than-expected third-quarter performance, but warned of exchange rate headwinds for the full year.
JD Sports gained even as the Competition and Markets Authority ordered it to sell Footasylum after an in-depth investigation identified competition concerns.
Tate & Lyle was up after it reported a rise in first-half profit and revenue following a particularly strong performance in the food & beverage solutions business.
Luxury car maker Aston Martin advanced after it backed its full-year guidance and reported a jump in revenue and a narrowing of its losses amid strong demand for cars such as its DBX.
On the downside, Sainsbury’s fell even as it stuck to its full-year guidance and reported a 23% increase in first-half profit, boosted by higher grocery sales and cost cuts.Virgin Money UK (VMUK.L) reinstated its dividend on Thursday as earnings recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the bank setting new medium-term growth targets for margins and cost savings.
Virgin Money fell 4.45% despite reinstating its dividend as earnings recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, with the challenger bank setting new medium-term growth targets for margins and cost savings.
