UK Stocks-Factors to watch on February 25 (updated)
25/02/2026 07:59
Adds new items, updates futures
Feb 25 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.4%.
* DIAGEO: Diageo DGE.L cut its annual sales and profit forecast for the second time in four months and slashed its dividend.
* HALEON: Haleon HLN.L reported a slowdown in fourth‑quarter revenue growth, as a delayed flu season hit sales of its respiratory-health products.
* HISCOX: Hiscox HSX.L announced a $300 million share buyback plan and reported a 5.9% rise in annual insurance contract written premium.
* ASTON MARTIN: Aston Martin AML.L said it will cut another 20% of its workforce, after the luxury carmaker's annual profit came in worse than expected amid weak demand and tariff pressures.
* ST JAMES'S PLACE: St James's Place SJP.L reported a rise in annual profit, as resilient equity markets boosted investor confidence and led to increased client activity.
* JET2: Jet2 JET2.L said it expects to report annual profit in line with market estimates, and that on-sale capacity for Summer 2026 was 8% higher year-on-year, boosted by new and recently established bases.
* GSK: GSK GSK.L agreed to pay $950 million in cash for 35Pharma Inc.
* TRAINLINE: Trainline TRNT.L said that chief executive Jody Ford plans to step down after more than six years.
* METLEN: Metlen MTLN.L said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Shell SHEL.L to cooperate on liquefied natural gas supply and trading.
* HSBC: HSBC Holdings HSBA.L lifted a key earnings target after its annual profit beat expectations.
* OFGEM: Ofgem lowered its price cap on household energy bills from April to June by 117 pounds ($158.21), or 7%.
* COMMODITIES: Oil prices were hovering near seven-month highs, copper extended gains and gold prices climbed 1%.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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(Compiled by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru)
((Neeshita.Beura@thomsonreuters.com))