UK Market News

Tuesday August 11, 07:12 AM
UK at a Glance-UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on August 11

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 6 to 7 points lower on Tuesday, according to financial bookmakers, tracking falls in the U.S. where investors took profits following a four-week rally, and as most Asia stocks drifted lower on warnings of lingering economic uncertainty. The FTSE 100 index closed 9.36 points lower on Monday at 4,722.20, not far from a 10-month closing high of 4,731.56 hit on Friday after reassuring non-farm payrolls numbers from the United States boosted investor sentiment. A recovery in corporate earnings and improving macroeconomic data has fuelled a rally in British stocks over the past few weeks, with the index rebounding 36 percent since the all-time low in March, and it has gained 2.5 percent so far this month. In economics news, British retail sales rose last month compared with a weak July last year, a survey showed on Tuesday, after changeable weather helped both seasonal clothing lines, food and homeware sales. The decline in house prices in England and Wales eased further in July and there is a growing body of evidence that market conditions are stabilising after the financial crisis and recession, a survey showed on Tuesday. China reported below-forecast growth in factory output and investment on Tuesday, underlining why senior officials keep reminding markets that recovery in the world's third-largest economy is not yet on solid ground. Later investors will be eyeing UK trade figures, scheduled for release at 0830 GMT. In the U.S., the two-day rate-setting FOMC meeting starts today. * Asia stocks drift, govts warn of more uncertainty * Nikkei (news) clings near 10-mth high, exporters weigh * US STOCKS-Wall St dips after four-week rally * FOREX-Yen rises vs high-yielders after China data * TREASURIES-Prices up on bargain-hunting as stocks retreat * Oil edges up ahead of U.S. data; watches Chinese data * PRECIOUS-Gold inches up as dollar steady, ETF eases * METALS-Copper eases, LME around $6,100 ahead of China data UK stocks to watch on Tuesday FRIENDS PROVIDENT The life insurer reports first-half results which on Monday were widely expected to be accompanied by a firm takeover offer from consolidator Resolution . LLOYDS BANKING GROUP (LSE: LLOY.L - news) The government is close to hammering out an agreement about how to insure loans granted to Royal Bank of Scotland (LSE: RBS.L - news) and Lloyds Banking Group under its 580 billion pound asset protection scheme (APS), said The Guardian. BAE SYSTEMS (LSE: BA.L - news) The defence giant has been awarded contracts from the Pentagon and Ministry of Defence to produce vehicle visions systems and laser targeting systems for the former and torpedoes for the latter, said The Times. The 1.1 billion pound Pentagon contract and 369.5 million pound MoD contract outweighs the loss of a 700 million pound contract to supply the Royal Malaysian Navy with two frigates, although an agreement for less expensive ships could still be reached, said the newspaper. INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP (Virt-X: IHG2.VX - news) The hotelier reports first-half results. INTERNATIONAL POWER (LSE: IPR.L - news) The power generating group posts first-half results. GREGGS (LSE: GRG.L - news) The baker posts first-half results. INTERSERVE The building and maintenance firm posts first-half results. COLLINS STEWART (LSE: CLST.L - news) The stockbroker posts first-half results. ASSURA GROUP (LSE: AGR.L - news) The healthcare firm issues a trading update. PRODESSE INVESTMENT The fund manager posts first-half results. TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines (Reporting by Tricia Wright) Multimedia versions of Reuters Top News are now available for: * 3000 Xtra : visit http://topnews.session.rservices.com * BridgeStation: view story .134 For more information on Top News visit http://topnews.reuters.com Keywords: MARKETS BRITAIN FACTORS