UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 28 (updated)

Pets at Home

28/05/2025 07:58

Adds new items, updates futures

May 28 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening flat on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.03%.

* PETS AT HOME: British retailer Pets At Home PETSP.L reported annual underlying pretax profit in line with its expectations, as elevated costs and weak demand for pet accessories continue to weigh down growth.

* RENTOKIL: British pest control company Rentokil Initial RTO.L said it would sell its workwear, flat linen and clean room business in France to H.I.G. Capital in a deal that values the business at about 410 million euros ($463.8 million).

* GLOBALDATA: Data platform GlobalData DATA.L extended the deadline to June 11 for private equity firm ICG ICGIN.L  to make a firm takeover offer, while ending talks with KKR KKR.N after failing to reach an agreement on terms.

* KINGFISHER: European home improvement retailer Kingfisher KGF.L reported a 1.8% rise in first quarter same store sales, with a strong performance in Britain, helped by favourable weather, partially offset by continued weakness in France.

* BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO: British American Tobacco BATS.L said on Tuesday it intends to sell a 2.3% stake in Indian consumer goods company ITC ITC.NS worth about $1.4 billion in a block trade deal.

* UNILEVER: Unilever ULVR.L has agreed to guarantee its ice cream workers' employment terms in Europe and Britain for at least three years after the business' spin-off, according to a memo, tripling the usual period in such deals.

* OIL: Oil prices inched up as the U.S. barred Chevron CVX.N from exporting crude from Venezuela under a new asset authorisation, though expectations of more output from OPEC+ continued to limit gains.

* GOLD: Gold steadied on Wednesday

* METALS: Copper prices in London were stable.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

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 (Reporting by Ankita Bora in Bengaluru)

 ((Ankita.Bora@thomsonreuters.com))