UK Stocks-Factors to watch on August 7

Goodwin

07/08/2026 05:54

Aug 7 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Friday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.2%. 
     
* GOODWIN: Goodwin GDWN.L is in talks to sell its defence business, the Financial Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
* OIL: Oil extended gains amid further concerns around the opening of the Strait of Hormuz as Iran, working with Oman, suggested banning vessels deemed hostile from the strait and heavily fining those which violated the proposed rules.
* GOLD: Gold prices firmed and were on track for their biggest weekly gain since January, helped by weaker oil prices, while investors awaited key U.S. nonfarm payrolls data for clues on the interest rate outlook.
* METALS: Copper rose to linger near a six-month high, after the Democratic Republic of Congo's ban on copper and cobalt concentrate exports raised supply concerns.
* The UK's FTSE 100 ended lower on Thursday, tracking losses on Wall Street, as investors weighed a fresh batch of corporate earnings including upbeat reports from housebuilder Persimmon and advertising group WPP.

* 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 Megha Kumari in Bengaluru)
 ((Megha.Kumari@thomsonreuters.com;))