StockMarketWire.com - UK stocks opened modestly higher on Wednesday amid growing expectations that European leaders would ask the UK to accept a long Brexit delay.
At 0850, the FTSE 100 was up 5.83 points at 7.431.40.
Tesco gained 1.3% after the supermarket giant beat expectations with a 29% jump in annual profit to £1.67bn and almost doubled its dividend.
Pharmaceutical company Indivior crashed 56% after it was charged with criminal offenses in the US including mail, wire and health fraud. The company denied the allegations.
Rolls-Royce fell 0.5% on revealing that it would start inspecting Trent 1000 TEN aircraft engines, after blade deterioration was identified in a 'small population' of the products.
Stagecoach reversed 3.6% after it was disqualified by the UK government from three rail franchise competitions because it had submitting non-compliant bids mostly related to pensions risk.
Homewares retailer Dunelm advanced 2.9% after it upgraded its profit outlook, thanks to a stronger market and the closure of its Worldstores businesses.
Online retailer Asos rose 6.2% as the company stuck to its annual sales and margin guidance, while posting an expected slump in first-half profit owing to investment spending.
Fashion retailer Ted Baker gained 2.0% on news that it had agreed to form a joint venture for the Chinese market with Shanghai LongShang Trading Company.
AstraZeneca gained 0.2% after it and partner Merck gained European regulatory approval for a breast cancer treatment.
Retirement home developer and manager McCarthy & Stone fell 0.6% as it posted a 66% drop in first-half profit, after rising revenue was offset by restructuring costs.
Recruitment company PageGroup gained 1.1% on the back of an 11% rise in first-quarter gross profit, driven by strong growth in overseas markets.
Cosmetics retailer Warpaint London shed 1.9% after it booked a 32% fall in annual profit, hurt by acquisition-related and impairment expenses.
Story provided by StockMarketWire.com
Shares Magazine

Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.
Investor Events

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.