Archived article
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Thursday 3 December 2015
The headline index was virtually flat in early trading ahead of today's ECB policy decision and after the Dow fell into negative territory for the year on declining oil prices and the increased likelihood of a December rate rise.
“Packaging group DS Smith (LSE:SMDS) hiked its interim dividend despite pre-tax profits being down by more than a quarter,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.
“The group’s half year results were hit by the cost of closing its Somerset paper mill and a weak euro but volume growth was ahead of the market and GDP and its outlook is positive despite a challenging economic environment in some markets.
“Soft drinks group AG Barr’s (LSE:BAG) revenue performance gained momentum in the third quarter and it has maintained market share in difficult conditions. The Irn-Bru maker is on track to meet its full-year forecasts but this depends on satisfactory Christmas trading in a marketplace which remains highly competitive.
“Barclays (LSE:BARC) is selling its Italian retail banking network as it continues to focus on its core businesses. Barclays will continue to operate investment and corporate banking in Italy and will also continue to manage the remaining retail mortgage portfolio.”
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