The FTSE 100 closed Wednesday up 0.36% in a quiet session for markets. Online grocer and retail-technology specialist Ocado, pest-control, hygiene and workwear services provider Rentokil Initial and betting-and-gambling group Entain gained the most over the session, rising 3.9%, 2.6% and 2.55% respectively. The biggest falls were seen by Rolls-Royce Holdings, B&M European Value Retail SA and IMI, which dropped 1.2%, 1.2% and 1.1% respectively.


COMPANIES NEWS:

Team PLC to Buy Homebuyer Financial Services for $3.1 Mln

Team PLC said it will buy financial-planning business Homebuyer Financial Services for a total consideration of 2.4 million pounds ($3.1 million) in cash.

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Alien Metals CEO to Step Down

Alien Metals said Chief Executive Troy Whittaker will resign with effect from Dec. 31, without disclosing further details.

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Anglo American Plans to Sell Stake in U.K. Mining Project, The Times Reports

-- Anglo American could be preparing to sell a minority stake in the Woodsmith fertilizer mine, in North Yorkshire, as it seeks to share the $9 billion development cost, The Times of London reported.

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Aviva to Receive Extra GBP80 Mln From Sale of Singapore Life Stake

Aviva said it expects to receive around 80 million pounds ($101.8 million) of additional proceeds from the sale of its stake in Singapore Life Holdings.


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires;


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-27-23 1203ET