London shares storm higher in early trade on Thursday snatching back losses made on Wednesday as miners, oilies and financials clock in with gains of 2%-plus. Wall Street and Asia were mixed overnight, and Europe is mildly higher this morning. The Bank of England issues it interest rate call at noon, although nobody really anticipates a change to the status quo.
Oil majors trace Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA), up 5% to £15.11, as surprises with how its managed the massive oil price slump, with no new cost or job cuts announced. Still, Shell's profits do fall by 80% to $1.8 billion, or roughly £1.23 billion, its biggest profits slump in 13 years.
Mobile giant Vodafone (VOD) stays largely flat at 213.4p as it confirms full year guidance. Group revenue in the quarter to 31 December 2015 comes in at £10.28 billion, up 2.6% on an organic basis and down 5.5% on a reported basis.
DQ Entertainment (DQE:AIM) crashes 62% to 1.63p as its nomad Allenby Capital resigns.
South32 (S32) jumps 11% to 52.38p as it announces the outcome of the South Africa Manganese strategic review and its intention to substantially reduce cash costs at a number of operations. It also advises that it expects interim pre-tax non-cash charges of about $1.7 billion.
Asian ticketing firm Galasys (GLS:AIM) slumps 15% to 14p despite saying full year results are on track. The shock comes from a likely one-off exceptional cost thanks to on-going litigation, as Shares spelled out recently here.
Broadcast techy Forbidden Technologies (FBT:AIM) rallies 3.6% to 10.63p as it reveals its first sale of a paid eva channel, its video social network.
Catering giant Compass (CPG) rises 4.8% to £12.30 on a 5.9% rise in organic revenue in the three months to 31 December driven by new business and good retention rates. Growth in North America is strong, Europe is improving and Compass says it's managing the challenges in the 'rest of the world' region. Read Shares web story exclusive here.
Design-led carpets maker Victoria (VCP:AIM) edges 2.5p higher to £11.20 as Cantor Fitzgerald Europe's Freddie George rolls out a new note, reiterating his 'buy' stance and £16.50 price target. For more on the flooring specialist's compelling turnaround and ambitious, acquisitive growth plans, read our Griller interview with executive chairman Geoff Wilding here.
Sofa retailer DFS Furniture (DFS) adds 3.55p at 325.55p on a positive half-year trading update and a confident outlook statement. CEO Ian Filby flags continued good sales growth amid healthy furniture market conditions and assures DFS is on plan to progress the interim payout, underpinned by strong cash generation.
