UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 15 (updated)
UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 15 Adds new items, updates for market open
July 15 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE fell 0.1% in early trading on Wednesday.
* B&M: B&M BMEB.L reported a 2% rise in first-quarter revenue, as strong growth in France and a recovery at Heron Foods offset a decline in like-for-like sales at its core UK business.
* BARRATT REDROW: Barratt Redrow BTRW.L said it delivered home completions for fiscal 2026 at the upper end of its guidance in a tough market.
* ANTOFAGASTA: Antofagasta ANTO.L said its copper output fell 9.5% in the first half of 2026 due to lower production at two key mines, but affirmed its annual forecast.
* BLOOMSBURY: Bloomsbury Publishing BLPU.L kept its annual forecasts unchanged, betting on AI-driven growth in a newer era of publishing and content consumption.
* WORKSPACE: Workspace WKP.L said it had over £200 million ($268.36 million) of assets up for sale and was mulling a further £100 million in disposals.
* DCC: DCC DCC.L is close to accepting a £5.7 billion ($7.64 billion) takeover proposal from a consortium of KKR KKR.N and Energy Capital Partners, Bloomberg News reported.
* SHELL: Shell SHEL.L has begun tendering for drilling services for its Dragon offshore gas project in eastern Venezuela.
* AI: UK banks' inability to access Anthropic's powerful AI model Mythos underscores the urgent need for Britain to build its own AI capabilities and adopt a more strategic approach to the technology.
* OIL: Oil extended gains as U.S. President Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Tehran launched strikes on U.S. infrastructure in the region.
* GOLD: Gold prices fell after climbing more than 2% in the previous session, as rising oil prices fuelled inflation concerns and uncertainty over the U.S. interest-rate outlook, weighing on non-yielding bullion.
* METALS: Copper edged up, as lower-than-expected U.S. inflation supported demand outlook and helped raise sentiment a little even as the crisis in the Middle East continued to weigh.
* 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($1 = 0.7460 pounds)
(Compiled by Anushka Chourasia and Megha Kumari in Bengaluru)