UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 31 (updated)
31/07/2025 07:58
Adds company news, updates futures July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.2%. * LSEG: The London Stock Exchange Group LSEG.L announced a share buyback of up to 1 billion pounds ($1.33 billion) for the second half. * SHELL: Shell's SHEL.L adjusted earnings reached $4.264 billion in the second quarter. * UNILEVER: Dove soap maker Unilever ULVR.L beat market expectations for second-quarter underlying sales growth and said it would retain a less than 20% stake in its ice cream business for up to five years after its spin off. * BAT: British American Tobacco BATS.L reported a 1.7% rise in first-half profit at constant currency, beating expectations. * SCHRODERS: Schroders' SDR.L posted lower than expected outflows of client cash and forecast-beating operating profit in first-half results. * ROLLS-ROYCE: Rolls-Royce RR.L raised its full-year outlook for both operating profit and free cash flow. * ST JAMES'S PLACE: St James's Place SJP.L said its half-year net inflows doubled to 3.8 billion pounds ($5.04 billion). * HALEON: Haleon HLN.L lowered its annual organic revenue growth forecast to 3.5%. * NEXT: Next NXT.L raised its annual profit outlook for the third time in five months. * JUST GROUP: Brookfield Wealth Solutions BNT.N has agreed to a 2.4 billion pound ($3.18 billion) takeover bid for British insurer Just Group JUSTJ.L. * DRAX GROUP: Drax Group DRX.L reported a fall of around 11% in its first-half adjusted core profit. * PETS AT HOME: Pets At Home PETSP.L lowered its annual profit forecast. * COMMODITIES: Oil prices steadied, gold prices rebounded, and copper prices were rangebound on Thursday. * EX-DIVS: Lloyds Banking Group LLOY.L will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday. * 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 Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru) ((NithyashreeRB@thomsonreuters.com;))