Supermarkets giant Sainsbury's (SBRY) cheapens 1.9p to 319.4p as investors give a thumbs down on plans to enter the UK food discount sector. Chief executive designate Mike Coupe says the FTSE 100 retailer will team up with Dansk Supermarked to bring the Netto brand back to the UK, initially with 15 stores by the end of 2015 under a joint venture. The news of increased competition in the discount end of the market sends Tesco (TSCO) 2.1p lower to 288.83p and embattled Morrisons (MRW) down 1.1p to 189.4p.
Having rocked investors' confidence with a number of profit warnings, unloved department store Debenhams (DEB) edges 1.5p higher to 73.6p on a reassuring third quarter trading statement. The British multi-channel brand expects to deliver stronger second-half gross margins, having embarked on a strategy of less promotions and discounting. Debenhams' like-for-like sales were marginally in positive territory over the 14 weeks to 7 June and flags continued growth in online and international sales. The retailer is launching a £200 million senior note and says it will begin trial concessions with Mike Ashley's Sports Direct (SPD) and coffee shop Costa before the year-end.
Dublin-based drugs company Shire (SHP) is in demand, improving 13.6% to £42.46 after rebuffingUS pharmaceutical group AbbVie’s latest approach pitched at £46.26 a share. Read our news analysis here.
High street lender TSB (TSB) is up 13.9% to 296.2p as conditional dealings begin, a strong debut after parent Lloyds Banking (LLOY) sold off a 35% stake. This was more than the 25% detailed in the prospectus amid strong demand from investors.
Warehousing investor Tritax Big Box REIT (BBOX) falls 3.4% to 105.2p as it says it is considering raising £150 million through a placing and open offer next month.
Marine and specialist engineering services provider James Fisher (FSJ) adds 0.69% to £13.19 on news of its £8 million acquisition of Testconsult, a market-leading provider of monitoring, instrumentation and testing services and designer of specialist testing equipment.
Oil and gas minnow Rose Petroleum (ROSE:AIM) falls 14.7% to 1.6p as it announces a discounted share placing to raise £6.5 million. It will use the money to develop assets in Utah.
Bellzone (BZM:AIM) slumps 13.6% to 2.55p as a dispute with a barge operator puts a temporary halt to shipments from its Forecariah iron ore project in Guinea.
Utilitywise (UTW:AIM) retreats 6.9% to 292.38p after selling just over 10 million shares held by directors, staff and a former director, as a long-term incentive plan matures. The stock has been sold at 290p.
Small cap fund manager Polar Capital (POLR:AIM) jumps 7.7% in early trade to 500p on the back of stronger-than-expected finals, driven by especially strong fund inflows into its Japan collective.
Private client wealth manager Charles Stanley (CAY) advances 1.1% to 425p on positive sentiment following yesterday's pleasing finals. The firm unveiled funds under management of £20.1 billion at the 31 March period end, versus £17.7 billion last year.
