FTSE 100 Set to Rise; Asia Trades Lower

0640 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open 12 points higher at 7205, according to CMC Markets, after downbeat trading in Asia and a modestly positive U.S. close. Markets in mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan fall, though stocks in India gain, while the Dow rose 15 points to 35,500. Asia markets, which have lagged behind somewhat this week, look set to finish the week on a mixed note, while stocks in Europe are poised to open slightly higher, CMC says. "It looks set to be a quiet day on the data front, with the only items of note being July import and export prices and the latest University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment survey for August," CMC analyst Michael Hewson says. (philip.waller@wsj.com) 


 
Companies News:

Babcock International Sells Frazer-Nash Consultancy for GBP293 Mln

Babcock International Group PLC said Friday that it has agreed to sell its subsidiary Frazer-Nash Consultancy Ltd. to KBR Inc. for a cash consideration of 293 million pounds ($404.5 million).

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Westminster Group Swung to 1H Pretax Loss; On Track to Meet FY Views

Westminster Group PLC reported Friday a swing to a pretax loss for the first half of 2021 due to a drop in sales linked to Covid-19, which was offset by a improving gross margin, and said it remains on track to meet full-year expectations.

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Morses Club Says Five-Month Performance In Line With Views

Morses Club PLC said Friday that it continued to perform in line with expectations for the first five months of fiscal 2022, and said that demand has increased across all lending products in its home collected credit and digital divisions.

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Zegona Communications to Return GBP329.3M to Shareholders Via Tender Offer

Zegona Communications PLC said Friday that it plans to return 329.3 million pounds ($454.7 million) to shareholders via a tender offer, after the sale of Euskaltel SA.

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Best of the Best Early FY 2022 Sales Fell; Sees Full Year Below Market Views

Best of the Best PLC said Friday that its sales fell in early fiscal 2022, and it expects full year margins, earnings and profit to significantly miss market expectations.

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Braveheart Investment Raises GBP2.5 Mln to Take Control of Covid-19 Test

Braveheart Investment Group PLC said Friday that is raising 2.5 million pounds ($3.5 million) via a share placing and will use the money to accelerate the development of Paraytec's Covid-19 test by taking control of the final design and engineering packages.

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Avon Protection Cuts Revenue Guidance on Order Delays

Avon Protection PLC said Friday that it has cut guidance for fiscal 2021 revenue due to delays in the receipt of orders, though it said it has had good commercial progress in the second half of the year.

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Morses Club Proposes Business Reorganization Via a New Listed Holding Company

Morses Club PLC said Friday it is proposing to reorganize its business and corporate structure by introducing a new AIM-listed holding company named U Money PLC.

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08-13-21 0304ET