Dignity shares (LON: DTY) opened 4.86% lower on Friday as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said that it has “serious concerns” about the funeral sector.

The watchdog told funeral directors that they would need to provide much clearer pricing to customers after investigating the sector.

Martin Coleman, a CMA panel inquiry chairman, said: “Organising a funeral is often very distressing and people can be especially vulnerable during this time.

“That’s why our remedies are designed to help people make choices that are right for them and ensure they can be confident that their loved one is in good hands.

“The CMA will be keeping a close eye on this sector to make sure our remedies are properly implemented and help it to decide whether further action is necessary when circumstances return to a more steady state.”

The CMA has been investigating the sector for the past two years, however, the final results of the report have been delayed amid the pandemic.

In response to the CMA’s concerns, Clive Whiley, Executive Chairman of Dignity commented:

“We welcome the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) Final Decision Report for the funeral and crematoria market investigation. Dignity has engaged openly and collaboratively with CMA throughout the investigation . In fact Dignity has been working to raise awareness regarding issues of transparency and consistency in the quality of care across the funerals sector for a number of years. In the months ahead, we look forward to working with the regulator and the Government to ensure the package of remedies work for consumers, and that they are implemented effectively across the market.

“Finally, we also note the acknowledgement from the CMA that there is evidence, even before COVID-19, that perceived excess returns have declined since the review period (2014 to 2018) expired two years ago,” Whiley added.

Dignity shares (LON: DTY) are trading 5.76% lower at 639.88 (1204GMT).

Fulham Shore shares (LON: FUL) were 7.5% lower on Friday morning after the group swung into a loss for the six months ended 27 September 2020.

The restaurant owner, which owns Franco Manca and The Real Greek restaurants, posted a £3.9m loss compared to a £0.4m profit for the same period a year previously. Revenue at the group was down 45% to £19.9m.

As the majority of locations were closed in Tier 3 locations and all locations were forced to close amid the November lockdown, Fulham Shore is on the hunt for cheaper rent for future expansion.

David Page, Chairman of Fulham Shore, said: “We are pleased to have delivered a creditable performance during the first half of the current financial year despite all Franco Manca and The Real Greek restaurants being closed to dine-in customers for more than half the period. The Group generated positive Headline EBITDA during the second quarter (July to September) reflecting the popularity of our businesses and their great value proposition.

“The ongoing damage to the property and restaurant sectors will allow us to prospect for new sites at much reduced rents and lower capital costs per site. As such, over the next few years and once normal trading conditions return, we will target a higher return on capital than we have historically achieved.

“Following the period end, on 5 November 2020 most of our restaurants closed again to dine-in customers following the UK Government’s second national lockdown. These restaurants were then permitted to re-open on 2 December 2020 to dine-in customers, with certain restrictions. However, as at the date of this report and from 16 December 2020, the majority of our estate is once again closed to dine-in customers as London entered Tier 3 restrictions, while Surrey and Berkshire will enter Tier 3 restrictions from 19 December 2020. The situation is fluid and changes frequently and with little notice,” added Page.

Fulham Shore shares (LON: FUL) are trading -5.00% at 9.50 (1017GMT).

Safestyle shares (LON: SFE) surged almost 16% on Thursday as the group reported strong order intake growth and increased operational capacity.

The group delivered 9% year on year revenue growth in Q3 and is expected to deliver c.20% revenue growth for Q4. Looking into next year, Safestyle remains confident and said they plan to “enter 2021 with its strongest ever installation pipeline at this stage of the year, providing a solid platform to maintain its current trading momentum whilst at the same time providing some insulation against the potential impact of disruption to future sales activities from further lockdowns.”

The fourth quarter is on track deliver their strongest financial result for any quarter since 2017. Full year revenue is expected to be over £113m, with an underlying loss before taxation of approximately £4.5m – with any losses attributed to the first lockdown.

Mike Gallacher, the chief executive of Safestyle, commented: “Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the Group during the year, I am pleased with the recent tangible progress we have made in stepping up our operational capacity and delivering strong revenue growth, whilst further strengthening our order book. Moreover, we have also made good progress on our longer-term strategic priorities. Notwithstanding the uncertainty associated with the current economic backdrop, the Group is well positioned to build on this positive momentum going into 2021.”

In September, shares in the group fell after the group revealed pre-tax loss of £5m in the six months to June 30. The group said that revenue and profitability between March and May had fallen as a result of the pandemic and having to cease trading.

The group expects next year’s market to be ahead of expectations. Shares (LON: SFE) are trading +15.76% at 42.60 (1200GMT). In the year to date, shares are down from previous highs of 43.42.

Bidstack (LON:BIDS) shares jumped as much as 26% in early trade on Thursday following the release of a trading statement that pointed to significant progress in the second half of the year.

Bidstack operates in-game advertising services that allows brand to play their native adverts throughout the computer game experience.

In their half results released in August this year, Bidstack only reported £300,000 in revenue, which was met by initial disappointment by the market.

Today’s announcement paints a more positive picture as it suggests the company is now moving beyond the initial testing phase and is making their way on to the advertising plans of major brands.

Bidstack said in a statement they had ‘experienced significantly increased demand from advertisers in the second half of 2020,’ but stopped short of giving any revenue figures during the period saying they were ‘on track to exceed market expectations’.

“In the second half of 2020 we have been conducting our work with quiet efficiency,” said James Draper, CEO of Bidstack

“Over that period we have seen a step change in interest from brands wanting to activate within gaming. We are witnessing average order values increasing significantly and experiencing advertising agencies now including in-game advertising as a component in large media plans. We believe this is a meaningful shift from where the market was 12 months ago.”

“In addition Bidstack is considering a number of new commercial opportunities where our technical offering and insight may be of interest to some global technology led companies.”

“We are at the beginning of a new industry, where brands will continue to explore and invest in ways to activate and protect their IP in and around interactive entertainment.”

“The diligent work of our growing team, the knowledge we have accumulated and the demonstrable acceleration of revenue being run through our products put Bidstack in a strong position to capitalise on this growth.”

Continued Brexit optimism has pushed shares higher on Thursday morning.

The FTSE 100 was pushed up by 23 points to 6594. The FTSE 250 was 0.2% higher in early trading. Stocks also rose off the back of the US Federal Reserve’s announcement and promise to keep interest rates close to zero.

European shares were also off to a positive start this morning, with the Europe-wide Stoxx 600 index up 0.5%. European stocks are almost at a 10-month high.

Among the top risers on the FTSE this morning were Anglo American (shares were up 2.8%), Persimmon (up 2.6%) and NatWest bank (up 2.8%).

Connor Campbell of SpreadEx commented on this morning’s rise:

“Some projection improvements from the Federal Reserve, continued optimism regarding US stimulus, and hopes that a last-gasp Brexit deal can still materialise were all factors on Thursday morning.

“Though the Fed left things unchanged policy-wise, its forecasts for this year and the next got a polish – it is now expecting the US economy to contract by 2.4% in 2020, before rebounding by 4.2% in 2021. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, is set to fall back to 5%, not too far off where it was at the start of the year.

“As for fiscal stimulus, Congress is quickly running out of time to get the $908 billion bill passed before Friday evening’s shutdown. Confirmation of the relief package could be the thing the markets need to kick-start a Santa rally heading into Christmas week.

“On the surface, the chances of a Brexit deal were dealt a blow after the announcement of a parliamentary recess from Thursday. However, some have speculated this is just part of the bluster of negotiations, and that MPs could well be recalled if an agreement does materialise in the next few days.”

The pound has also hit new highs today and is at a 31-month high against the US dollar. The pound sterling jumped over half a cent $1.358.