FTSE companies to invest in, second Royal Mail downgrade, ITV’s new streaming site and Chelsea up for sale…

1. Nine FTSE companies a safe bet in war times

However, the analysts cautioned that given the invasion had no visible end in sight and with the multiple potential risks, their caution about near-term risk meant that they suggested investors follow “macro-agnostic” strategies.

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2. Royal Mail hit with consecutive sell notes

Royal Mail PLC (LSE:RMG) has received its second sell note in two days, as Credit Suisse downgraded the postage company to Underperform and downgraded its price target by more than a third.

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3. ITV slumps despite record advertising revenue

ITVX will be the UK’s first integrated advertising and subscription-funded platform, with a focus on original content as the service plans to launch a new series every week.

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4. Footsie flops back

The FTSE 100 index closed a hefty 190.71 points, or 2.57% lower on Thursday at 7,238.85 amid fears of a further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine.

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5. Who will be the new boss at the bridge?

Chelsea’s Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich said he will sell the football club for approximately £3bn following increased pressure from the UK government to sanction oligarchs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

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Also in today’s news…

Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) PLC CEO Simon Oddie joined Proactive’s Stephen Gunnion with details of a joint venture with i3 Energy PLC on the Serenity project in the UK North Sea.

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