UK Market News

Tuesday November 17, 07:15 AM
UK at a Glance-UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on Nov 17

LONDON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 22 to 27 points lower on Tuesday, as investors pause for breath after the index hit a 14-month closing high the previous session, with an easing of gold from record highs

on Monday looking set to impact the mining sector. Financial bookmakers expected the UK blue-chip index to fall as much as 0.5 percent on opening, after it ended up 86.29 points, or 1.6 percent, at 5,382.67 on Monday, its highest close since September 2008 and notching up its fourth consecutive session of gains. The index is only 0.6 percent below its level before the collapse of Lehman Brothers (G03.SI - news) in mid-September 2008 and has surged 55.5 percent from a six-year low in March. Investors will eye monthly UK inflation figures, due at 0930 GMT. Consumer price inflation is seen by analysts rising to 1.5 percent year-on-year in October, up from 1.1 percent in the year to September. Later, U.S. figures on producer price inflation will attract attention. U.S. industrial production numbers will also form a focus. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Monday that regulatory reform has to address the too-big-to-fail issue and it must be possible for financial firms to fail without dragging the broader system with them. BoE policymaker Andrew Sentance said on Monday that Britain's economy is moving towards recovery and the Bank of England's latest forecasts show the risk of keeping monetary policy too loose for too long. * GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian stocks hit 15-mth highs, dlr pressured * Nikkei (news) dips despite Wall St jump, firm yen weighs * Wall St leaps as Bernanke pledges lower rates * FOREX-Dollar stuck near 15-mth lows on benign rate view * TREASURIES-Weak economic data, Bernanke remarks spur rally * Oil sheds some gains; eyes dollar, data * PRECIOUS-Gold eases but near $1,140 as dollar seen weak * METALS-Shanghai copper hits near 14-mth top, LME retreats UK stocks to watch on Tuesday: LLOYDS BANKING GROUP (LSE: LLOY.L - news) The bank is attempting to bring about a financial restructuring of the troubled pubs group Admiral Taverns, which may include a 600 million pound debt-for-equity swap, said the Independent. BRITISH AIRWAYS (LSE: BAY.L - news) The airline has written a letter to the joint secretaries of Unite, saying it will not tolerate union members promoting strike action at work and would consider pressing criminal charges against anyone found putting stickers on the company's property, said the Times (1832.HK - news) . LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE (LSE: LSE.L - news) , IG GROUP IG Group has connected to the equities trading platform Chi-X Europe in a move that will allow ordinary investors access to the fast growing alternative to the London Stock Exchange, said the Financial Times. PUNCH TAVERNS (LSE: PUB.L - news) , WHITBREAD (LSE: WTB.L - news) Punch Taverns and Whitbread could be forced to take over Threshers stores following the collapse of First Quench Retailing -- the group which owned the wine retailer, reported the Daily Telegraph. INVESCO PERPETUAL Invesco Perpetual has launched a new split cap investment trust in response to demand from investors for investments that are taxed as capital gains rather than investments, said the Financial Times. BRITISH LAND (LSE: BLND.L - news) The property firm reports first-half results. BURBERRY GROUP (LSE: BRBY.L - news) The luxury goods group reports first-half results. ICAP (LSE: IAP.L - news) The interdealer broker posts first-half results. INTERTEK GROUP (LSE: ITRK.L - news) The testing equipment firm issues a trading update. SMITHS GROUP (LSE: SMIN.L - news) The technology company holds its annual general meeting. BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS (LSE: BDEV.L - news) The housebuilder issues a trading update. AVIS EUROPE (LSE: AVE.L - news) The car rental firm issues a trading update. BIG YELLOW GROUP (LSE: BYG.L - news) The self-storage firm posts first-half results. ENTERPRISE INNS (LSE: ETI.L - news) The pubs firm posts full-year results. JD WETHERSPOON The pubs group holds its annual general meeting. EASYJET The low-cost airline posts full-year results. SAVILLS (LSE: SVS.L - news) The real estate consultant issues a trading update. VT GROUP (LSE: VTG.L - news) The support services firm posts first-half results. MECOM The European newspaper group issues a trading update. WELLSTREAM HOLDINGS The oil services group issues a trading update. ARENA LEISURE (LSE: ARE.L - news) The racecourse operator issues a trading update. CARE UK (LSE: CUK.L - news) The health services and social care provider posts full-year results. INTELEK (LSE: ITK.L - news) The electronic systems company posts first-half results. MECOM GROUP (LSE: MEC.L - news) The European newspaper group issues a trading update. OXFORD INSTRUMENTS The high-technology tools maker posts first-half results. VITEC GROUP (LSE: VTC.L - news) The media products firm issues a trading update. TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines (Reporting by Tricia Wright; Editing by Hans Peters) Keywords: MARKETS BRITAIN FACTORS