The FTSE 100 index closed Thursday down 1% to 7410 points, dragged by oil-exposed stocks and miners while Burberry's poor update also dampened sentiment, IG chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp said in a note. ---International Distribution Services Cuts Guidance After Loss WidenedInternational Distribution Services said its pretax loss widened as losses at the Royal Mail unit weighed, and cut adjusted operating performance guidance. ---United Utilities Pretax Profit Drops on Higher Finance Costs; Backs Regulatory Period ViewUnited Utilities said its pretax profit fell sharply in the first half of fiscal 2024 on lower operating profit and higher finance costs, while it reiterated its targets for the current regulatory period, or AMP7. ---Halma Backs Market Views for Full-Year After Profit Rose With Growth in All SectorsHalma said pretax profit rose as it benefited from revenue growth in all sectors and a healthy contribution from recent acquisitions, and backed market expectations for full-year profit. ---Young & Co's Brewery Pretax Profit Rises on Strong SalesYoung & Co's Brewery said pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2024 rose on the back the hot weather in September and the start of the Rugby World Cup.

Source: Wall Street Journal November 16, 2023 17:16 UTC