(Bloomberg) -- Trainline said commuters are buying more tickets over its platform, helping sales jump 23% in the first half of the year. That’s even though 11 strike days dented revenue in the period, with gross ticket sales taking a hit of as much as £6 million per walkout day.

Key Business News

Trainline Plc: The company said its positive trading momentum reflects continued recovery in the rail sector, with passenger volumes regularly coming close to pre-Covid levels. 

• Trainline also started a share buyback of up to £50 million

THG Plc: The online retailer reported a wider loss in the first half and lowered its sales forecast, held back by its beauty division.

• The  business formerly known as The Hut Group posted a £100 million operating loss. It’s now forecasting a drop of 0% to 5% this year

AstraZeneca Plc: The drugmaker is setting up Britain’s first subsidy-free biomethane gas system that will provide it with an industrial-scale supply of clean heat and help slash its carbon footprint.

What’s Next? 

Miner Petra Diamonds Ltd. is due to report results on what looks to be a quiet Friday morning. Market participants may be glad of a respite ahead of next week’s company updates from the likes of Ocado Group Plc as well as a highly anticipated Bank of England rate decision on Thursday.

Big Read

A surge in shoplifting, which has already cost UK retailers close to £1 billion, has stores resort to desperate measures. Read more here.

Key Headlines

• UK Housing Market Slump Deepens With Fewest Sales Since Lockdown
• Chip Designer Arm’s IPO Was Priced for Smooth Trading Debut
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