FTSE 100 Seen Opening Higher as UK Retail Sales Recover
0741 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open higher after data showed U.K. retail sales recovered in January. Spreadbetting firm IG expects the London index to rise 14 points after closing 66 points lower on Thursday, when new concerns about Russia invading Ukraine hit global markets. Data on Friday showed U.K. retail sales rose 1.9% on month in January after a 4.0% decline in December when a wave of Omicron coronavirus cases caused many shoppers to stay at home. "Despite the recovery in January, sales volumes still were 0.5% below their 4Q 2021 average, and the near-term outlook remains overcast," Pantheon Macroeconomics economists say. "Households' real disposable income looks set to fall by nearly 2% this year, the most since 1977." (renae.dyer@wsj.com)
Companies News:
NatWest Swung to 4Q Profit, Plans Share Buyback of Up to GBP750 Mln
NatWest Group PLC reported Friday a swing to an operating pretax profit and net profit for the fourth quarter of 2021, which came in ahead of market views, and said it intends to launch a share buyback program of up to 750 million pounds ($1.02 billion).
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Segro 2021 Pretax Profit Rose on Higher Investment Properties Gains
Segro PLC said Friday that pretax profit for 2021 rose after booking higher gains on wholly-owned investment properties, and that it entered 2022 confident in its outlook for the business and ability to deliver continued growth.
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Cineworld Group Agrees to Payment Deal With Former Dissenting Shareholders of Regal Entertainment
Cineworld Group PLC said Friday that it has concluded discussions with former dissenting shareholders of Regal Entertainment Group, and that an agreement has been reached for the remaining $79.3 million to be paid by June 30.
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Severstal 4Q Net Profit Fell, Revenue Rose on Higher Steel Prices
Severstal PAO said Friday that net profit for the fourth-quarter fell despite revenue rising, and declared a dividend payout.
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TBC Bank Says 4Q Pretax Profit Rose; Is Confident About Outlook
TBC Bank Group PLC reported on Friday a significant rise in pretax profit for the fourth quarter of 2021 and said it is confident about its outlook.
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Kingspan 2021 Pretax Profit Rose on Higher Revenue; Is Cautiously Optimistic About 2022
Kingspan Group PLC said Friday that 2021 pretax profit and revenue rose, and that despite a slower fourth quarter, the board was cautiously optimistic about 2022's outlook given the company's strong order backlog.
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UK Watchdog Could Refer CVS' Acquisition of the Vet for In-Depth Probe
The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority said Friday that it may refer CVS Group PLC's completed acquisition of The Vet for a further investigation, as it believes the deal raises competition concerns.
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Pod Point Group Holdings 2021 Revenue Rose, Pretax Loss Widened as Costs Increased
Pod Point Group Holdings PLC said Friday that revenue for 2021 jumped but that its pretax loss widened as costs rose.
Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Dow Jones Newswires; paul.larkins@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
02-18-22 0310ET
