UK stocks: factors to watch on October 15
EWU•Britain’s FTSE 100 was seen opening flat. Companies reported mixed business updates, while official data showed the economy grew unexpectedly in August.
1. Market and company updates
Britain’s FTSE 100 was seen opening flat, with futures largely unchanged. EasyJet published the scheme document for its £5.7 billion takeover by Apollo, set a shareholder vote for November and reaffirmed its expectation that the deal will close before the end of the first quarter of 2027. Antofagasta reported a 7% rise in third-quarter copper production and maintained annual guidance; Travis Perkins reported a 1.3% decline in like-for-like sales, and Jupiter Fund Management reported higher net inflows.
2. Other developments
British Land said it expects strong interim profit and rental income growth, while Dunelm posted a marginal rise in first-quarter sales. Mondi said it decided to raise prices for several paper grades in the third quarter. Britain’s economy grew unexpectedly in August, and Bank of England Chief Economist Huw Pill said a future rate increase should not be seen as the start of a long series of increases. Oil prices fell, gold climbed and copper slipped.
