FTSE 100 Poised to Rise After Mixed Asia Trading
0732 GMT – The FTSE 100 Index looks set to open 18 points higher at 7364, according to IG futures data, after mixed Asia trading and a broadly flat close on Wall Street. Australian stocks rise, though markets in mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan fall. Brent crude edges 0.1% higher to $89.87 a barrel. “A quiet day on the data front gives markets plenty of time to focus on central-bank comments from various European Central Bank speakers (Lagarde, Nagel and Knot) and the Fed’s Collins,” Danske Bank analysts say in a note. (philip.waller@wsj.com)
Top News:
UK Retail Sales Edged Up in October
Retail sales in the U.K. increased in October, but growth is likely to be short-lived as high inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and weak consumer confidence weaken spending.
Companies News:
DS Smith Appoints Richard Pike as Group Finance Director
DS Smith PLC said Friday that it has appointed Richard Pike as group finance director.
—
Bodycote Four-Month Revenue Rose; Backs Full-Year Guidance
Bodycote PLC said Friday that it booked strong revenue growth in the four months to Oct. 31 and that it expects full-year results to be in line with market expectations.
—
M.J. Gleeson Flags Recent Slowing Demand, Rising Cancellations
M.J. Gleeson PLC said Friday that its outlook for fiscal 2023 is dependent on the pace of recovery in the housing market, as recent demand has significantly slowed and cancellation rates increased.
—
N4 Pharma Raises GBP1 Mln for Nuvec Development
N4 Pharma PLC said Friday that it has raised 1 million pounds ($1.2 million), with the proceeds to be used to progress development work relating to its Nuvec system.
—
Legal & General Backs 2022 Views; Sees Solvency II Reform Proposal as Positive
Legal & General Group PLC on Friday welcomed the solvency II reform package laid out by U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt in the Autumn Statement, and said that it expects its full-year performance to be in line with expectations.
—
Net Zero Infrastructure Withdraws from Taylor Construction Talks
Net Zero Infrastructure PLC said Friday that it has withdrawn from talks to buy Taylor Construction Plant Ltd. and Solar Highways Ltd., first disclosed on May 19.
—
Biffa CFO Resigns to Join DS Smith
Biffa PLC said Friday that Richard Pike has resigned as chief financial officer to join DS Smith as group finance director
—
Parsley Box Group Seeking Shareholder Approval to Cancel AIM Listing
Parsley Box Group PLC said Friday that it is seeking shareholder approval to cancel the trading of its shares on London’s junior AIM, as previously flagged.
Market Talk:
UK Gilt Yields Are Expected to Fall Through 2023
0633 GMT – U.K. gilt yields are likely to continue falling through 2023 as the balance of risks to the outlook for the Bank of England’s bank rate becomes more two-sided, Daniela Russell, head of UK rates strategy says in a note. “Our constructive view on gilts is underpinned by the view that the end of hikes in the U.K. is near,” she says. Although inflation may stay high for some time to come, the BOE stands out among global central banks in that it seems more willing to tolerate high inflation as a lesser of two evils as the U.K. enters recession and the risks of overtightening become more acute, she says. (emese.bartha@wsj.com)
Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 18, 2022 02:55 ET (07:55 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
