UK stocks: Factors to watch on October 13
EWU•Britain’s FTSE 100 was seen opening 0.4% higher. BP expects third-quarter impairments of $3 billion to $4.5 billion, while other company updates included Whitbread backing its turnaround plan and Bellway expecting further margin pressure in fiscal 2027.
1. FTSE outlook
Britain’s FTSE 100 was seen opening higher on Tuesday, with futures up 0.4%.
2. Company updates
BP expects to report $3 billion to $4.5 billion of third-quarter impairments related to its gas and low-carbon energy segment. Whitbread backed its five-year turnaround plan and recommended shareholders vote against Corvex Management’s demand for a board seat. Bellway expects fiscal 2027 underlying operating margins to fall further, citing lower completions, rising mortgage rates and cost pressures amid the Middle East conflict.
3. Other market factors
Michael Page said it returned to growth in the third quarter, with its first gross-profit increase since 2022. Shell criticised Australia’s plan to require LNG producers to reserve some output for domestic use. Surveys indicated British consumers kept a lid on spending in September; oil prices fell, gold rose slightly and copper was nearly steady.
