UK Stocks-Factors to watch on April 1 (updated)
01/04/2026 07:38
Adds news items
April 1 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 1.07%.
* BERKELEY: Berkeley BKGH.L said it would stop buying new land and reduce work in progress as geopolitical volatility and challenging economic backdrop weighed on the housing market.
* BABCOCK INTERNATIONAL GROUP: Babcock International Group BAB.L said it has agreed to a six-month bridging contract with the UK's Ministry of Defence to maintain naval base.
* TOPPS TILES: Topps Tiles TPT.L said that it would shut down 23 underperforming stores, a move expected to lower its overall revenue.
* UNILEVER: Artisan Partners welcomed Unilever's ULVR.L decision 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: 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: Monzo said it is exiting the United States, describing the move as a strategic decision to focus on expanding in the UK and Europe.
* ENERGY COSTS: British finance minister Rachel Reeves told the BBC that any government support to offset the increase in energy costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East would be based on household income.
* 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.
* 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, as per The Low Pay Commission.
* COMMODITIES: Oil rose more than 1%, while gold held steady and copper rose to two-week highs.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
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(Compiled by Roshni Srivastava in Bengaluru)
((roshni.srivastava@thomsonreuters.com))