UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 2 (updated)
02/05/2025 07:55
Adds new items, updates futures May 2 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.57%. * SHELL: Shell SHEL.L reported 28% drop in first-quarter net profit, beating analyst expectations, and kept the pace of its share buyback programme steady amid falling oil prices and lower refining margins than last year. * ASTRAZENECA: AstraZenec AZN.L said its inhaler therapy Breztri Aerosphere met all the main goals of two late-stage trials in patients with uncontrolled asthma. * NATWEST: NatWest NWG.L reported 36% rise in first-quarter profit, thanks to healthier margins on its deposit base, increased loan balances and better trading income. * HARRODS: Harrods said hackers attempted to break into its systems, the third high-profile cyber attack on a UK retailer in two weeks. * STANDARD CHARTERED: Standard Chartered reported a 10% rise in profit as strong wealth, markets and other fee-based business boosted revenue, though it joined peer HSBC HSBA.L in saying increased tariffs would weigh on credit quality. * OIL: Oil prices climbed on hopes of de-escalation in the bitter trade war between the U.S and China. * GOLD: Gold gained a day after prices hit a two-week low amid receding trade tensions. * METALS: Copper prices rose, and were headed for modest weekly gains, as potential U.S. tariff talks with top consumer China eased trade concerns. * 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 Simone Lobo in Bengaluru) ((Simone.Lobo@thomsonreuters.com; +919920570373;))