UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 19 (updated)
19/03/2025 08:01
Adds new items, updates futures March 19 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.06%. * HALEON: Pfizer PFE.N has sold its entire stake in Haleon HLN.L for about 2.5 billion pounds ($3.24 billion) to institutional investors and the firm at 385 pence per share, a bookrunner said. * SANTANDER BANK: The UK arm of Spain's Banco Santander SAN.MC, SANS_pa.L said around 750 staff could lose their jobs as it pressed ahead with plans to close a further 95 bank branches in Britain. * MITIE GROUP: Mitie Group MTO.L has named Wickes'WIX.L current Chair Christopher Rogers as its chair-elect. * SOFTCAT: Softcat SCTS.L said it expects 2025 operating profit growth to be in the low double-digit percentage range, up from its prior high single-digit growth expectation. * M&G: Britain's M&G MNG.L reported a surprise growth in annual profit, as aggressive cost cuts and growth in its asset management business helped the company ease pressure from high inflation and interest rates in recent years. * SERICA: UK's Serica Energy SQZ.L said that production from its Triton floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit in the North Sea will not resume before May due to delays in repairs. * UNILIVER: Ben & Jerry's said its parent, Unilever ULVR.L decided to oust the ice cream maker's chief executive, Dave Stever. * RIO TINTO: Institutional Shareholder Services urged Rio Tinto RIO.L shareholders to approve a proposal to review the miner's dual-listed structure amid pressure from activist Palliser Capital. * HUNTING: Britain's Hunting Plc HTG.L said it was considering cutting jobs at its EMEA operations. * COMMODITIES: Oil prices fell, gold rose to hit a record highs and copper prices held firm. * 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 ($1 = 0.7702 pounds) (Compiled by Simone Lobo in Bengaluru) ((Simone.Lobo@thomsonreuters.com; +919920570373))