UK update – Rio Tinto cuts iron ore shipment forecast, Pearson revenue up 10%

At 07:32BST, FTSE 100 Futures are trading higher by 0.3% at 7,208.

In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3681, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8483. The US Dollar Index is flat.

Today’s calendar highlights include Eurozone trade balance, US retail sales, Empire Manufacturing, University of Michigan consumer sentiment.

Stocks
Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) – Cuts 2021 iron ore shipments forecast on tighter labour market. Now expects 2021 Pilbara iron ore shipments between 320mt-325mt, down from 325mt-340mt. Also cuts refined copper production guidance to 190kt-210kt from 210kt-250kt. Q3 Pilbara iron ore output 83.3mt, down from 86.4mt previously.

Hargreaves Lansdown (LON:HRGV) – Assets under administration of £138.0 billion as at 30 September 2021, up 2% since 30 June 2021. Net new business of £1.3 billion in the period. Added net new clients of 23,000. Normalisation of revenues post pandemic is in line with company expectations.

AstraZeneca (LON:AZN) (NASDAQ:AZN) – Imfinzi plus tremelimumab significantly improved overall survival in HIMALAYA Phase III trial in 1st-line unresectable liver cancer.

Pearson (LON:PSON) – Group underlying revenue up 10% for the 9-month period to 30th September 2021. Strong performance in Assessment & Qualifications helps offset declining enrolments in Higher Education. Pearson says it remains on track to deliver adjusted operating profit for FY21 in line with market expectations.

Hochschild Mining (LON:HOCM) – Exercised its option to start earning in to a 60% interest in the Snip gold project located in the Golden Triangle and in Tahltan Territory, British Columbia, Canada, and held by Skeena Resources.

Jupiter Fund Management (LON:JUP) – Assets under management increased £0.4 billion in three months to 30th September to £60.7 billion. Positive market movements of £1.0bn were partially offset by £0.6bn of net outflows.

Land Securities (LON:LAND) – As at 12 October 2021 – collection day 10 – 85% of the net rent due on 29 September had been paid, compared with 81% for the June quarter to date.

Compass Group (LON:CPG) – Announced a commitment to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions across its global operations and value chain by 2050.

Mercantile Investment Trust (LON:MRCM) – In the six months to 31st July 2021 the Company produced a total return on net assets of +25.3%. Expect revenue for the financial year ending 31st January 2022 to be significantly higher than 2021. Declared second quarterly interim dividend of 1.35 pence per share.

Mediclinic International (LON:MDCM) – H1 group revenue up 12%; ahead of pre-pandemic levels across all three divisions. Material recovery in Group EBITDA margin to around 15.5% from 12.1%.

Loungers (LON:LGRS) – Over the 20 weeks to 3 October 2021, the Group delivered like for like sales growth of 26.6%, using the period 20 May to 6 October 2019 as the comparator.

National Grid (LON:NG) – 1000MW IFA interconnector will now come back to service on 20th October, ahead of the previously planned 23rd October.

Tullow Oil (LON:TLW) – Upgraded to Buy from Hold at Berenberg.

Antofagasta (LON:ANTO) – Upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC.