UK stocks: factors to watch on October 2
EWU•FTSE 100 futures were up 0.3%, pointing to a higher open. Capita faces a fresh government review, J D Wetherspoon reported an 8.6% rise in like-for-like sales, and regulators provisionally found Nexfibre’s proposed Netomnia acquisition could reduce competition.
1. Company developments
Capita said its performance remains below expected standards after a fresh government review of its handling of the civil service pension scheme. J D Wetherspoon reported an 8.6% rise in like-for-like sales at the start of fiscal 2027, saying hot weather drew more customers. AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo and Summit Therapeutics entered a clinical collaboration to test Datroway with ivonescimab across multiple tumour types, including lung and breast cancers.
2. Deals and legal claims
The UK competition watchdog provisionally found that Nexfibre’s acquisition of Netomnia could substantially reduce competition in wholesale fixed broadband services. BAE Systems is among potential bidders exploring an offer for Robin Radar Systems. More than 800 investors have sued Home REIT, alleging they were misled about its rental income security, financial strength and social impact.
3. Other factors
The UK’s national research agency is backing a plan to speed up dementia testing with up to £80 million in funding. Oil prices were broadly stable, gold was headed for a second consecutive weekly decline, and copper recovered some of the previous day’s losses on supply concerns.
