UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 16 (updated)

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16/07/2026 08:05

Adds new items, updates for market open

    July 16 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE was down 0.6%, as of 0701 GMT. 

* PREMIER FOODS: Premier Foods posted a 4% rise in first-quarter branded sales, helped by strong demand for its sweet treats and new products.
* FRASERS: Frasers FRAS.L withheld its fiscal 2027 outlook, citing ongoing takeover bids for Hugo Boss BOSSn.DE and Accent Group AX1.AX.
* DUNELM: Dunelm DNLM.L reported a 2.9% rise in fourth-quarter sales to £428 million, supported by strong demand for its summer ranges.
* DFS FURNITURE: DFS Furniture DFSD.L said demand softened notably in the second half of fiscal 2026 as consumer confidence and housing transactions weakened.
* CREST NICHOLSON: Crest Nicholson CRST.L forecast annual operating profit at the lower end of its forecast range as it grapples with subdued housing demand and challenging economic conditions.
* DCC: DCC DCC.L said that a consortium of KKR KKR.N and Energy Capital Partners had submitted an improved takeover proposal valuing it at 6,797.22 pence per share.
* SIG: SIG SHI.L warned of lower annual profit, saying it does not expect material recovery through the rest of the year.
* OCADO: Ocado OCDO.L said it was focused on winning new business in the U.S., as it stuck to forecasts for cash flow to turn positive.
* ECONOMY: Britain's economy grew by 0.1% in May, in line with the median forecast in a Reuters poll of economists.
* BRITISH STEEL: The British government took British Steel into public ownership to protect UK steel production.
* ROTORK: ABB ABBN.S agreed to buy Rotork ROR.L for $5.5 billion. 
* BP: BP BP.L is proposing to close its venturing arm and has reached an agreement to sell minority interests in more than 10 companies in the portfolio to investment firm Verdane.
* BRIDGEPOINT: Bridgepoint BPTB.L has agreed to acquire a majority stake in GBA Group from Ardian, valuing the company at over €1 billion.
* GOVERNMENT: Andy Burnham is set to name interior minister Shabana Mahmood as his finance minister when he becomes Britain's prime minister next week, the Financial Times reported.
* COMMODITIES: Oil prices fell, gold dropped while Nickel gained on sulphur shortage fears.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB

 (Compiled by Anushka Chourasia and Megha Kumari in Bengaluru)
 ((Anushka.Chourasia@thomsonreuters.com))