FTSE 100 Set to Rise After Mixed Asia Trading, US Drop

0726 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open 60 points higher at 7431, according to CMC Markets, after mixed trading in Asia and a lower close on Wall Street. Stocks in mainland China are higher, but lower in Hong Kong and Japan. The Dow closed 0.2% lower Tuesday. "After yesterday's negative finish in the U.S., which was led by another big loss for the Nasdaq 100, but a strong rally off the lows for the Dow, European markets look set for a positive start, as we look ahead to two central bank meetings, from the Federal Reserve and the Bank of Canada," CMC analyst Michael Hewson says. (philip.waller@wsj.com)


 
Companies News: 

Sage Group Says 1Q Was in Line; Backs FY 2022 Guidance

Sage Group PLC said Wednesday that growth was in line with expectations in the first quarter of its fiscal 2022 and it backed its guidance for the full year.

---

U.K. Watchdog Issues Enforcement Order on National Express, Stagecoach Deal

The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority on Wednesday issued an initial enforcement order on National Express Group PLC's planned takeover of Stagecoach Group PLC, preventing the companies from fully combining while it considers the deal.

---

Fresnillo Operations in Mexico Hit by Omicron Variant, New Labor Rules

Fresnillo PLC on Wednesday said that the pandemic and the new labor reform in Mexico is hampering its mining operations, and forecast lower gold production for this year.

---

Brewin Dolphin 1Q Total Funds Under Management Rose

Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC said Wednesday that its total funds under management rose in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, benefiting from growth across both its direct and indirect business.

---

Playtech Notes Media Speculation on Future; Reiterates Support for Aristocrat Bid

Playtech PLC said Wednesday that it has noted recent media speculation on its future strategy and that it reiterates its recommendation that shareholders vote in favor of the offer from Aristocrat Leisure Ltd.

---

Wizz Air 3Q Pretax Loss Widened; Warns on 4Q Results

Wizz Air Holdings PLC on Wednesday reported a widened pretax loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 after booking significantly higher prices and seeing the average revenue per passenger decrease, and warned of a hit from the impact of the Omicron Covid-19 variant in the last quarter of the year.

---

Tullow Oil Sees 2021 Free Cash Flow Ahead of Guidance

Tullow Oil PLC said Wednesday that it expects to report better-than-expected free cash flow for 2021, reflecting supportive oil prices, focus on costs and favorable working capital movements.

---

Bloomsbury Publishing Says FY 2022 Revenue, Profit to Beat Expectations

Bloomsbury Publishing PLC said Wednesday that it expects to report revenue and profit ahead of market expectations for fiscal 2022.

---

Digital 9 Infrastructure Raises GBP95.2 Mln via Share Placing

Digital 9 Infrastructure PLC said Wednesday that it has raised 95.2 million pounds ($128.6 million) via the share placing announced earlier this month.

---

Pets at Home Expects FY2022 Underlying Pretax Pft to Beat Market Views After Strong 3Q

Pets at Home Group PLC said Wednesday that revenue increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, and that it expects to post a full-year underlying pretax profit above market expectations.

---

Quilter 4Q Assets Under Management Rose 13%

Quilter PLC said Wednesday that assets under management rose 13% in the fourth quarter of 2021.


 
Market Talk: 

Equity Market Correction Unlikely to Turn Into Bear Market

0713 GMT - The current correction in global equity markets is unlikely to deepen much further and turn into a bear market, Goldman Sachs says. While higher interest rates are a concern to investors, they are expected amid a transition from an era of deflationary tail risks to one characterized by inflationary risks, the investment bank says. Goldman forecasts rates will peak around 2.75% in the U.S.--still around 100 basis points higher than market pricing--but this would still be very low relative to history and unlikely to generate a recession, it says. "Rising interest rates are generally not outright negative for equity markets," Goldman says. (yongchang.chin@wsj.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Dow Jones Newswires; paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-26-22 0306ET