FTSE 100 Poised to Drop After Mixed Asia Trading
0732 GMT - The FTSE 100 Index looks set to open nine points lower at 7342, according to IG futures data, after mixed Asia trading and a downbeat close on Wall Street. Australian and mainland China markets rise, though Hong Kong and Japanese stocks fall. The Dow closed 0.1% lower. Brent crude retreats 0.6% to $92.29 a barrel. "Euro area inflation surprised again to the upside in October and the final release Thursday will provide details on the drivers," Danske Bank analysts say in a note, "U.S. housing starts will probably bring more evidence that the housing market continued to cool in October. A range of Fed speakers will also be on the wires." (philip.waller@wsj.com)
Companies News:
Halma 1H Pretax Profit Fell After Disposal Gain in Prior Year
Halma PLC said Thursday that pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2023 fell after the comparable period a year earlier was boosted by a gain on a disposal.
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International Distribution Services Swung to 1H Pretax Loss on Royal Mail Losses
International Distribution Services PLC said Thursday that it swung to a first-half pretax loss and revenue fell as a good performance from its GLS division was offset by Royal Mail losses.
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Burberry Group 1H Pretax Profit Rose on Lower Costs; Backs FY 2024 Views
Burberry Group PLC said Thursday that it expects to achieve near-term guidance despite the challenging environment and that pretax profit for the first half of fiscal 2023 rose amid lower costs.
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Spirax-Sarco Engineering Backs 2022 Guidance After Underlying Demand Growth
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC on Thursday backed its full-year guidance for adjusted operating profit as underlying demand growth remained strong in the four months to the end of October despite a weakening global industrial production growth forecast.
Market Talk:
UK Autumn Statement Expected to Pave the Way to Fiscal Consolidation
0730 GMT - The U.K. government's Autumn Statement is set to outline its fiscal consolidation plans for the years ahead, which is part of their plan to regain market confidence following the turmoil in late September and early October, Deutsche Bank's analysts say in a note. "A key one will be the overall scale of the package, as well as how that's distributed between spending cuts and tax rises," the analysts say. They also watch out for on what the government will announce on energy prices. The Autumn Statement is due later Thursday. (emese.bartha@wsj.com)
Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
11-17-22 0251ET
