Darktrace, up 0.1%, announced that its annual general meeting (AGM) would be held on 7 December 2023 at 11.00am (London time) at the offices of Latham & Watkins (London) LLP, 99 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3XF.
Hilton Food Group, up 3.1%, in its 3Q trading update, announced that its robust financial performance and strong operational progress has continued into the third quarter, with trading in line with the management’s expectations. Additionally, its revenue in the period is ahead of the prior year. Furthermore, the Group's financial position remains strong with leverage at comfortable levels.
CyanConnode Holdings, up 2.5%, announced that its it has successfully raised funds worth £2.7m (before expenses) through an accelerated bookbuild at an issue price of 10.0p per new ordinary share.
SDI Group, down 14.8%, announced that it has acquired Peak Sensors Holdings Limited (Peak Sensors or Peak), a UK manufacturer of temperature sensors, for a consideration of £2.4m.
Sareum Holdings s, down 8.0%, announced that it has started dosing the first subjects in the food effects part of its Phase 1a clinical trial of lead programme SDC-1801 at a specialist clinical unit in Melbourne, Australia.
UK markets ended mostly lower last week, following dismal British GDP data. On the macro front, Britain’s economy stagnated in 3Q23, amid higher interest rates. Additionally, UK’s manufacturing production rose less than anticipated in September, while the nation’s industrial production remained flat in September. On the contrary, UK’s Halifax house prices climbed for the first time in 6 months in October, while the nation’s RICS housing price balance index advanced more than expected in October. Also, UK’s construction PMI climbed in October. The FTSE 100 index declined 0.8% to settle at 7,360.6, while the FTSE techMARK 100 index lost 1.2% to end at 6,028.9. Meanwhile, the FTSE AIM 100 index rose 0.8% to close at 3,363.4.
US markets ended higher in the previous week. On the data front, the US initial jobless claims dropped more than forecasted in the week ended 03 November 2023, while the nation’s MBA mortgage applications climbed in the same week. Meanwhile, the US goods and services trade deficit widened for the first time in three months in September, driven by rise in imports, while the nation’s consumer sentiment index fell to a 6-month low in November. Separately, US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell hinted at additional interest rate hikes to combat inflation. The DJIA index rose 0.7% to end at 34,283.1, while the NASDAQ index gained 2.4% to close at 13,798.1.
