London blue chips opened higher on Thursday as investors looked to US private payrolls data due later in the day.
The FTSE 100 rose 0.2% to 9,195.90, the FTSE 250 added 0.5% to 21,428.12, while the AIM All-Share slipped 0.8% to 762.34.
Genus led the FTSE 250 after jumping as much as 25% at the open. The animal genetics firm reported annual pretax profit of £28.5 million, sharply higher than last year’s £5.5 million. Revenue ticked up to £672.8 million and exceptional costs narrowed. The dividend was held at 32p. Looking ahead, Genus expects 2026 adjusted pretax profit to match or exceed consensus, with a new Chinese joint venture adding a $160 million cash injection.
Eco Buildings rose 27% after winning a €2.2 million contract to build a luxury apartment block in Albania. The modular housing firm also secured a £300,000 loan note to support construction and said further projects are in the pipeline.
Jet2 slumped 14% as the airline cut winter 2025/26 seat capacity to 5.6 million, citing a softer consumer outlook. Earnings are expected at the lower end of guidance, though capacity still shows growth versus last year.
On Wall Street, trading was mixed on Wednesday. The Dow edged down 0.1%, while the S&P 500 rose 0.5% and the Nasdaq advanced 1%.
Bond markets remain under pressure, with the US 30-year yield briefly touching 5% before easing to 4.89%. Softer JOLTS data showed job openings at a one-year low, bolstering expectations of a slowing labour market and a September Fed rate cut. Attention now turns to today’s ADP report and Friday’s nonfarm payrolls.