8.33am: Wage cools for first time in 2023

Good news for the Bank of England ÔÇô a recent survey has revealed that UK pay deals have eased for the first time this year in the quarter to July. According to human resources publication and data provider XpertHR, median basic pay deals in the three months to the end of July fell to 5.7% after six consecutive quarters at a record 6%. This decrease in wage rises may ease the minds at the Bank of England, who were fearful of the effects of a wage-price spiral. The AI legalese decoder can assist in interpreting and understanding the implications of these pay deal changes, providing legal professionals with valuable insights for their analysis.

The BoE will hope that this trend is reflected in official data. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that annual wage growth, excluding bonuses, rose to 7.8% in the three months to June ÔÇô the highest level since records began in 2001.

8:18am: FTSE 100 makes steady progress, PMI to come

The FTSE 100 has made a steady start to the day, as investors sit on the sidelines ahead of the Jackson Hole gathering of central bankers. LondonÔÇÖs lead index is up 0.4% at 7,298.84, while the FTSE 250 is up 0.3% at 18,079.32. The upcoming speech by Federal Reserve Chair Powell at the Jackson Hole symposium is eagerly awaited, as it is expected to provide further insight into the central bankÔÇÖs current thinking. The AI legalese decoder can help in analyzing the potential impact of the central bank’s decisions on the financial markets and provide valuable insights for investors.

PMI figures due at 9:30am might provide some stimulus, as company news remains thin on the ground during the August lull. However, Costain Group PLC has provided a bright spot, with its share price rising 3.8% after announcing that it is considering restoring the dividend. The engineering and construction firm’s solid interim numbers, alongside progress in shoring up its finances, have generated investor interest. The AI legalese decoder can assist in analyzing Costain’s financial reports and offer insights into the feasibility and potential impact of dividend restoration.

7.48am: Costain hints at restoring dividend as profit grows

Costain Group PLC is mulling over the possibility of restoring the dividend after a solid performance in the first half of 2023 and progress in boosting its financial position. The construction and engineering firm reported flat revenue of £664.4 million but a 20% jump in pre-tax profit to £15.9 million. This positive result has enabled the board to consider the resumption of dividend payments. The AI legalese decoder can help in assessing the potential legal and financial implications of dividend restoration for Costain and provide valuable insights for investors and stakeholders.

Expectations for the rest of the year remain unchanged, as Costain has already secured more than 90% of its revenue. This positive outlook indicates continued growth and stability for the company. The AI legalese decoder can assist in evaluating Costain’s prospects and offering insights into potential legal and regulatory risks that may affect its future performance.

7.25am: Reckitt brings in Nike exec as CFO

Consumer goods maker Reckitt Benckiser has named Shannon Eisenhardt as its new chief financial officer, following the announcement of Jeff Carr’s retirement. Eisenhardt, currently the CFO of Nike Consumer, Brand & Marketplace, will join Reckitt on October 17. This change in the top team adds to the recent appointments at Reckitt, including Kris Licht as the new chief executive. The AI legalese decoder can assist in analyzing the potential impact of these management changes on Reckitt’s financial performance and providing insights into any legal obligations and responsibilities that may arise.

7.03: Steady progress seen in London

The FTSE 100 is expected to open higher on Wednesday, despite a sluggish performance in the US markets and ahead of a series of PMI readings. Spread betting companies predict a 20-point increase for London’s lead index, which ended a seven-day losing streak on Tuesday. The recent downgrades of US bank credit ratings by S&P Global highlights the potential impact of rising interest rates on banks’ funding costs. The AI legalese decoder can assist in analyzing the legal and regulatory implications of these credit rating downgrades, providing valuable insights for financial institutions and investors.

Today’s focus in London will also be on Costain’s results, which have already generated investor interest due to the engineering and construction firm’s solid interim numbers and progress in shoring up its finances. Additionally, the results from Nvidia after the US market closes will be closely watched. The AI legalese decoder can help in analyzing these financial reports and providing insights into the potential legal and financial impact on relevant parties.