British equities were flat but in the green for the second day in a row on Thursday, with the FTSE 100 closing 0.02% higher, as trading updates from corporate heavyweights dominated the news before the Friday release of January gross domestic product data.
Halma HLMA added 1.21% after reporting “good progress” in the second half of its fiscal year ending March 31. The safety equipment company expects its adjusted profit to grow to record levels for the 22nd straight year and anticipates its organic revenue to be higher than the previous year.
Meanwhile, IG Group Holdings’ 
IGG revenue increased annually for the third quarter of fiscal 2025. The derivatives trading company said it remains confident of meeting the consensus estimates for its total revenue and adjusted pretax profit, driving shares up 1.35% at closing.
On the economic front, the UK Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors house price balance decreased to 11% in February…
