SSP Indian JV opens IPO to public bidding, PHP positioned for growth.


LONDON PRE-OPEN The FTSE 100 was expected to open 18.4 points lower ahead of the bell on Monday after wrapping up the previous session flat at 8,822.91.

Source: Sharecast

STOCKS TO WATCH

Hospitality group SSP has opened public bidding for the IPO of its joint-owned Indian operations in a proposed stock market listing in Mumbai that could be worth up to £1.23bn. SSP, which operates convenience food stores and restaurants in travel gateways across 40 countries, plans to list the Travel Food Services joint venture with K Hospitality Corp on July 14.

Care facilities investor Primary Health Properties said on Monday that improving rental growth and stabilisation in yields underpinned valuation growth in the six months ended 30 June. PHP also noted that it continues to believe in the "compelling strategic and financial rationale" for its recommended combination with Assura, stating that the transaction was expected to be earnings accretive for both sets of shareholders.

NEWSPAPER ROUND-UP

Donald Trump has said that his administration plans to start sending letters on Monday to US trade partners dictating new tariffs, amid confusion over when the new rates will come into effect. "It could be 12, maybe 15 [letters]," the president told reporters, "and we've made deals also, so we're going to have a combination of letters and some deals have been made." – Guardian

Airport staff are earning cash bonuses for every easyJet passenger they spot travelling with an oversized bag, according to a leaked email. Staff at Swissport, an aviation company that operates passenger gates at airports, are "eligible to receive £1.20 (£1 after tax) for every gate bag taken", according to the message sent to staff at seven airports in the UK and the Channel Islands, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Jersey and Newcastle. – Guardian

Rachel Reeves's National Wealth Fund is pouring millions of pounds into a major carbon capture scheme in the Peak District as Labour ploughs ahead with its ambitious net-zero push. The Chancellor has announced plans to invest £28.6m in the Peak Cluster project, which will eventually see emissions from cement and lime factories in the area stored deep below the Irish Sea. – Telegraph

Hiring confidence among UK employers is at its lowest for 13 years in spite of signs of a summer rebound in output. The April rise in employers' national insurance, policy uncertainty and other cost pressures have pushed the indicator for employment to its weakest since 2012, according to the BDO Business Trends barometer. – The Times

The tax contribution paid into Treasury coffers by Apple jumped last year as its operating profits surpassed £1.0bn. Apple's corporation tax bill rose by nearly 62% from £188.0m to £304.0m for the year ended September 28, 2024, according to accounts filed at Companies House, as its operating profits rose from £822.0m to £1.2bn. Revenues at the technology company were up 35% to £4.7bn. – The Times

US CLOSE

Wall Street traders took a break on Friday as Americans celebrated Independence Day.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com

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