UK stocks: Factors to watch on October 22
EWU•EWU•EWU•EWU•The FTSE 100 was seen opening 0.5% lower. Key company news included London Stock Exchange Group’s planned $3.54 billion acquisition of Octus and Barclays’ 12% rise in third-quarter profit and £500 million share buyback.
The FTSE 100 was seen opening lower on Thursday, with futures down 0.5%. London Stock Exchange Group said it would acquire Octus for about $3.54 billion to strengthen its data analytics capabilities, alongside reporting third-quarter results. Barclays said third-quarter profit rose 12% and announced a new £500 million share buyback.
Sainsbury’s upgraded the lower end of its full-year profit outlook after first-half profit rose 3.6%. InterContinental Hotels Group reported third-quarter revenue per available room growth of 5.3%, while Pearson said stronger third-quarter growth put it on track to meet full-year guidance. AstraZeneca said the FDA granted accelerated approval for its treatment for adults with immunoglobulin A nephropathy. The UK takeover panel gave Circle8 until November 18 to decide whether to offer for SThree; oil prices rallied while gold and copper fell.
