UK Stocks-Factors to watch on April 1
01/04/2026 06:08
April 1 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futuresFFIc1 up 0.94%. *UNILEVER: Artisan Partners, which has a history of driving strategic change at consumer companies, welcomed Unilever's ULVR.L decision on Tuesday to merge its food business with McCormick MKC.N, saying the company should now be able to "more effectively manage" its core personal care and home brands. *EVOKE: British betting group Evoke EVOK.L will shut a number of betting shops from May, the company said, citing rising cost pressures and higher taxes imposed in the government's autumn budget last year. *MONZO: British mobile bank Monzo said on Tuesday it is exiting the United States, describing the move as a strategic decision to focus on expanding in the UK and Europe. *DRUG COST: UK's drug cost-effectiveness watchdog has recommended Novo Nordisk's NOVOb.CO Wegovy to reduce the risk of serious heart problems or strokes in obese or overweight adults, becoming the first GLP-1 drug to be endorsed for this use. *WAGE: Britain's minimum wage may need to rise by around 3.7% next year to 13.18 pounds ($17.38) an hour to keep up with the likely rise in average earnings, the public body which advises the government on the rate said on Wednesday. *COMMODITIES: Oil rose more than 1% on Wednesday, while gold prices edged higher, and copper rose to two-week highs. *FTSE: British stocks edged higher on Tuesday but logged their worst monthly showing since 2020 as the Middle East conflict drove a surge in oil prices, fuelling worries about inflation and slowing economic growth. * UK CORPORATE DIARY:
| Topps Tiles | TPT.L | HY Trading Statement |
| Wizz Air | WIZZ.L | March traffic |