UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 26 (updated)
26/05/2026 07:50
Adds new items, updates futures May 26 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.2%. * KINGFISHER: Kingfisher reported a 0.7% fall in first quarter underlying sales against a "soft market backdrop" but kept its profit guidance for full-year profit. * BP: BP BP.L said its Whiting refinery returned to the bargaining table with the United Steelworkers Local 7-1 bargaining committee and presented a revised proposal intended to move the parties closer to an agreement. * INFLATION: British shop price inflation sped up in May on the back of disruption and higher energy costs caused by the Iran war, according to a retail industry group which said the government had to do more to keep costs down. * STARTUPS: The UK could join a European Union equity investment fund for startups worth 4 billion euros this year, the EU Commissioner for startups Ekaterina Zaharieva told the Financial Times. * OIL: Brent crude futures rose over 2% in Asian trade after the U.S. military carried out strikes in Iran, keeping markets on edge as a deal to end the war and open up the Strait of Hormuz remained elusive. * METALS: London copper held steady as support from a weaker dollar was offset by higher oil prices after the latest U.S. strikes on Iran dampened hopes of a resolution to the Middle East conflict. * GOLD: Gold fell as fresh U.S. attacks in Iran pushed oil prices higher, fuelling concerns around inflation and higher-for-longer interest rates. * 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 Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru) ((Neeshita.Beura@thomsonreuters.com))