Coca-Cola HBC Share News (CCH)

(Alliance News) - Stocks in London ended mixed on Thursday with trading volumes light as the US celebrated Independence Day, while focus turns to Friday's US jobs numbers as expectations build for an interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve Reserve.The FTSE 100 index closed down 5.74 points, at 7,603.58. The FTSE 250 ended up 6.48 points, at 19,797.61, and the AIM All-Share closed down 6.98 points, or 0.8% at 917.29.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.1% at 12,889.34, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.1% at 17,703.05, and the Cboe Small Companies ended flat at 11,388.56.In Paris the CAC 40 ended flat, while the DAX 30 in Frankfurt ended up 0.1%. "The FTSE snoozed its way through Thursday's session, trading a tight range of just over 20 points. With the US closed for Independence Day and no noteworthy releases on the economic docket, traders have had very little to sink their teeth into. The tranquillity is unlikely to last, with tomorrow's non-farm payroll almost bound to inject volatility back into the markets," said City Index analyst Fiona Cincotta. Financial markets in the US reopen on Friday after being closed for the Independence Day public holiday on Thursday, which sees the release of the closely watched US jobs report for June. The US economy is expected to have added 160,000 new jobs in June compared to May's surprise drop of 75,000."In the event the jobs and the wage data beat expectations, then we would favour looking for short-term bullish setups on the dollar against the likes of the pound given the ongoing Brexit uncertainty in the UK and the fact data has taken a sharp downturn here. But if the jobs data misses expectations, then we would favour looking for bearish setups on the dollar against a currency like the Aussie dollar, as it could serve as a catalyst for more 'risk on' sentiment on the theory that the Federal Reserve may have to cut interest rates later this month," said Forex.com analyst Fawad Razaqzada.On the London Stock Exchange, Burberry Group ended the best blue chip performer, up 1.9% after Mainfirst raised the fashion house to Outperform from Neutral. Associated British Foods closed up 0.8% after the Primark clothing chain owner and sugar producer reported an increase in revenue in its financial year-to-date, helped by strong performances in its Retail and Ingredients units. The company, which also produces food and ingredients, said revenue at constant currency for the 40 weeks to June 22 was 3% higher than the same period last year. At actual exchange rates, revenue grew by 2% year-on-year. For the full year, the FTSE 100-listed company said it expects to report substantial profit growth for retailer Primark and, on an underlying basis, in its Grocery division. Overall, the full year outlook for the group is unchanged, with adjusted earnings per share expected to be in line with last year's 134.9 pence. In the Retail division, sales at Primark in the year-to-date were 4% ahead of last year, driven by increased selling space. Revenue in AB Sugar was in line with last year's third quarter, the company said, driven by higher sales at Illovo. This represented an improvement on the decline in sales in the first half, AB Foods noted. "The Retail performance is unfortunately being soured by the struggling Sugar operations, where the end of quotas has seen sugar prices plummet. The good news is that conditions seem to be stabilising. Throw in a good performance from ABF's branded groceries business, which includes Twinings Ovaltine and balsamic vinegar brand Acetum, and it looks like the rest of the sprawling empire might finally be set to support rather than undermine the success on the high street," said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Nick Hyett. Meanwhile, at J Sainbury's annual general meeting Chief Executive Officer Mike Coupe, as expected, faced the wrath of angry shareholders following the supermarket chain's failed merger attempt with rival Asda earlier this year.The failed merger was described as a "complete fiasco" by frustrated shareholders, some of whom also took issue with Coupe's substantial pay packet. Sainsbury's handed the chief executive, who has led the grocer since 2014, the GBP3.9 million annual pay packet, up GBP251,000 on the previous year, despite its shares slumping to an almost-30 year low.However, proxy votes showed that the firm's remuneration policy was backed with more than 90% of shareholder support.The stock closed up 1.0%, but is down 39% over the past 12 months.At the other end of the large cap index, Coca-Cola HBC and International Consolidated Airlines ended the worst performers, down 6.5% and 7.0% respectively. The stocks went ex-dividend Thursday, meaning new buyers no longer qualify for the latest payout.Spirax-Sarco Engineering closed down 1.7% after Goldman Sachs cut the steam management systems and peristaltic pumps maker to Sell from Neutral. Persimmon ended down 1.2% after the UK housebuilder said its decision to focus on increasing quality and customer service resulted in lower revenue growth and legal completions for the the first half of 2019. Persimmon said revenue for the six months to June 30 will total GBP1.75 billion, down from GBP1.83 billion recorded in the year ago period, with legal completions down to 7,584 from 8,072. Average selling prices in the period were GBP216,950, up slightly from GBP215,813. Persimmon recently launched an independent review of its quality and customer care operations following criticism over its poor build quality. The company is scheduled to release the results and recommendations of the review in the final quarter of 2019. "The CEO believes the initiatives taken on increasing the quality are showing 'early signs of bearing fruit'. While the outcome of Brexit will be a key factor for the sector's prospects, we increasingly believe that the growth rates for the sector have already peaked," said the Share Centre. Peers Barratt Developments, Taylor Wimpey and Berkeley closed down 0.2%, 0.7% and 1.0%, respectively.In the FTSE 250, Energean Oil & Gas ended the star performer, up 14% after the oil and gas company bought the oil exploration and production unit of Italian electricity and natural gas company Edison for a total consideration of USD850 million. Edison itself is owned by French utility firm Electricite de France. The Mediterranean-focused company has bought Edison Exploration & Production for USD750 million, with an additional contingent consideration of USD100 million payable following first gas from the Cassiopea development, offshore Italy. Energean Oil will fund the initial USD750 million consideration through a USD600 million committed bridge loan facility and up to USD265 million of equity financing through a new share placing. The share placing - to raise GBP211 million or around USD265 million - will be conducted through an accelerated bookbuild. Certain Energean directors have indicated their intention to participate in the placing up to GBP3 million.The pound was quoted at USD1.2578 at the London equities close, marginally higher than USD1.2564 at the close Wednesday.The euro stood at USD1.1280 at the European equities close, flat against USD1.1284 late Wednesday. The eurozone saw a marginal increase in building activity in June while Germany's construction sector stagnated, the latest survey from IHS Markit showed.The eurozone Construction Purchasing Managers' Index read 50.8 in June, little changed from 50.6 in May and remaining just above the no-change mark of 50 which separates expansion from contraction. Across the euro area's three largest economies, increases were registered in both France and Italy. However, growth ground to a standstill in Germany.Germany's construction PMI fell to the neutral mark of 50.0 in June from 51.4 in May, its lowest result since October last year. Brent oil was quoted at USD63.52 a barrel at the London equities close, up from USD63.12 at the close Wednesday.Gold was quoted at USD1,414.60 an ounce at the London equities close, marginally lower than USD1,418.40 late Wednesday.The economic events calendar on Friday has Germany factory orders at 0700 BST and UK Halifax house prices at 0830 BST.The UK corporate calendar on Friday has first-half production results from iron pellet producer Ferrexpo and a trading statement from building products supplier SIG. London Close is available to subscribers as an email newsletter. Contact info@alliancenews.com