The FTSE 100 makes a tentative start to the week, down 6.47 points at 7,297.57. The now all-to-familiar trade tensions between the US and China continue to bubble away in the background. The Trump administration is widely expected to slap tariffs on another $200bn worth of Chinese imports this week.
FTSE 250 firm Dairy Crest (DCG) says it expected first-half profit and revenue to be ahead of last year driven by strong performance from Cathedral City and Clover.
Cathedral City's revenue is expected to deliver good growth against strong volumes a year ago, while Clover is expected to deliver both volume and revenue growth, continuing the positive performance from last year.
First-half performance is held back by a reduction in volume and revenue for brand Frylight as unusually hot weather crimped oil usage, though the company said trading had significantly improved in recent weeks.
The company also says it continued to restrict Country Life promotional activity as ongoing high butter costs weigh on sales. The mixed update sees the shares settle up 1.3% at 464.9p.
Prospective potash producer Sirius Minerals (SXX), recently buffeted by soaring development costs on its flagship project in Yorkshire, signs a take-or-pay supply agreement with Cibrafertil Companhia Brasileira de Fertilizantes, or Cibra, for the supply and resale of potash into Brazil and other countries in South America.
Sirius says it had also agreed to acquire a 30% stake in Cibra group companies for 95m Sirius shares.
'We are delighted to have signed these supply and investment agreements with a leading player in the South American fertilizer market with a proven track record and ambitious growth plans,' chief executive Chris Fraser says.
Elsewhere some boardroom moves caught the eye.
Alongside growth in core full year profit, diamond producer Petra Diamonds (PDL) announces long-standing chief executive Johan Dippenaar will step down once a replacement has been found.
Dippenaar has led the company for more than a decade but after presiding over a period of significant growth the more patchy recent track record is reflected in a 67% decline in the shares over the last four years. The shares rise 2.4% to 37.5 this morning.
Online clothing retailer Boohoo Group (BOO:AIM) appoints John Lyttle as chief executive, who is expected to take up the role from 15 March.
Lyttle is currently the chief operating officer of Primark, the jewel in the crown of conglomerate Associated British Foods (ABF). The shares gain 1.5% to 172.6p.
Athlete representation and sports marketing business TLA Worldwide (TLA:AIM) signs up former Tottenham Hotspur chief executive Ian Gray as its new executive chairman - with a remit of launching a strategic review of the group. The shares advance 5% to 10.5p.
