UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Dec. 10
10/12/2020 08:31
(Adds futures, news items)
Dec 10 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index rose 0.5% in early trade on
Thursday.
* FIRSTGROUP: FirstGroup Plc FGP.L swung to an adjusted pretax half-year
loss, hurt by continued pressure on its UK rail and bus divisions as
restrictions related to the pandemic prolonged the travel slump. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IQ1IS
* MARSTONS'S: Marston's Plc MARS.L warned that winter months would be both
challenging and uncertain with 780 of its pubs remaining closed after the fresh
coronavirus-induced lockdown in November, as it posted an annual
loss. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IQ1MR
* OCADO: Ocado Group OCDO.L raised its core earnings forecast for 2019-20
for the second time in two months after sales at its retail joint venture with
Marks & Spencer MKS.L rose 34.9% in the fourth quarter. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nASN000MC4
* FRASERS: Mike Ashley's British sportswear group Frasers FRAS.L reported
a 25% rise in first-half core earnings and raised its annual forecast, boosted
by online sales and store reopenings after lockdowns. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IQ1P1
* DS SMITH: DS Smith SMDS.L posted a 54% plunge in half-year profit, hurt
by lower prices for boxes and weak industrial demand, although the company
decided to resume dividend payment. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IQ1PY
* GOLD: Gold prices edged lower following a steep sell-off in the previous
session, as a breakthrough in long-running U.S. fiscal stimulus negotiations
remained elusive. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IQ0QR
* OIL: Oil prices edged up buoyed by a COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Britain
and the imminent approval of a vaccine in the United States that could spur a
rebound in fuel demand, while a large build in U.S. crude stocks last week held
gains in check. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2IQ053
* The UK blue-chip index .FTSE edged higher on Wednesday ahead of talks
that could decide whether or not Britain ends 2020 with a messy no-deal exit
from the European Union. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL4N2IP1Z0
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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(Reporting by Priyanshi Mandhan)
((Priyanshi.Mandhan@thomsonreuters.com; +91 9650985606;))