UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 8 (updated)

Marks and Spencer

08/07/2026 08:03

Adds new items, updates futures

    July 8 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE fell 0.3% in early trading on Wednesday.

* JET2: Jet2 JET2.L said that easing geopolitical tensions have led to strong bookings in recent weeks, with booked-to-date passengers for summer up 7.1%.
* VISTRY: Vistry VTYV.L said it expects to report a first-half pre-tax loss of £30 million ($40.06 million) and CFO Tim Lawlor will also be stepping down.
* IG GROUP: IG IGG.L proposed establishing a new group holding company incorporated in Jersey as part of its strategic review.    
* GSK: Sino Biopharmaceutical 1177.HK said its China unit had secured rights to market two respiratory drugs from GSK GSK.L in mainland China.
* SEVERN TRENT WATER: Ofwat said it found utility Severn Trent Water SVT.L had breached its obligations to treat wastewater, but opted not to impose a fine.
* UNITE GROUP: Unite Group UTG.L said it has secured reservations for 86% of its beds for the 2026/27 academic year.
* SEGRO: Segro SGRO.L said it would form a joint venture to develop a data centre in Paris and set a target to deliver 50 pence in adjusted earnings per share by 2030.
* ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca AZN.L will license a subsidiary of Sino Biopharmaceutical's 1177.HK experimental chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) drug TQC3721 and pay $200 million upfront.
* VIRGIN MEDIA: Ofcom fined Virgin Media £28 million ($37.38 million) for repeatedly preventing customers from cancelling contracts.
* POLITICS: Britain's governing Labour Party said it would not contest the Clacton by-election triggered by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's decision to resign and seek re-election.
* DEFENCE: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will unveil a $50 billion NATO initiative to develop deep precision strike weapons.
* COMMODITIES: Gold prices edged higher from a near one-week low as investors awaited the Fed's June meeting minutes, while aluminium prices gained on supply concerns. Oil prices advanced more than 2% after the U.S. military launched airstrikes against Iran and reimposed crude sales sanctions.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
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 (Compiled by Megha Kumari in Bengaluru)
 ((Megha.Kumari@thomsonreuters.com;))