UK stocks: Factors to watch on October 22
EWU•FTSE 100 futures were down 0.4%. AstraZeneca received US accelerated approval for a kidney disease treatment, while Circle8 got until November 18 to decide whether to bid for SThree.
1. Company developments
AstraZeneca said the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for its treatment for adults with immunoglobulin A nephropathy. The UK financial regulator closed its two-year investigation into Home REIT while saying it supported an ongoing criminal investigation. Circle8 was granted an extra 28 days, until November 18, to decide whether to make an offer for SThree.
2. Markets and diary
Oil rose after further Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia prompted the United States to order some diplomats and family members to leave its missions in the Kingdom. Gold fell more than 1%, while copper prices declined. UK companies scheduled to report or issue trading statements included Barclays, J Sainsbury and LSEG.
