FTSE 100 to Open Higher as ECB Decision in Focus

0644 GMT - The FTSE 100 is seen opening higher after gains in Asia and Wall Street with spreadbetter IG expecting the London index to rise 16 points. A key focus for investors Thursday is the European Central Bank's policy decision at 1145 GMT followed by a press conference at 1230 GMT. "The ECB's position is complicated by being on the frontlines of the economic war on Russia," Oanda analyst Jeffrey Halley says in a note. "As such, I expect them to leave policy rates unchanged but reiterate the scheduled reduction of the Asset Purchase Programme," he says. Across the pond, U.S. retail sales data and the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey will be released at 1230 GMT and 1400 GMT, respectively. (renae.dyer@wsj.com) 


 
Companies News:

Ninety One 4Q Assets Under Management Increased Significantly

Ninety One PLC said Thursday that assets under management for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 increased significantly from a year earlier.

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National Grid Expects 2022 Earnings to Beat Prior Guidance

National Grid PLC said Thursday that it anticipates that fiscal 2022 underlying earnings per share will be modestly higher than previous guidance, and expects to complete the sale of its Rhode Island unit in the first quarter.

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Halma Acquires Underwater Robot Manufacturer Deep Trekker for C$60 Mln

Halma PLC said Thursday that it has acquired underwater robots manufacturer Deep Trekker Inc. for 60 million Canadian dollars ($47.8 million) on a cash and debt free basis.

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Brooks Macdonald's 3Q Funds Under Management Fell on Weaker Global Markets

Brooks Macdonald Group PLC said Thursday that funds under management fell over the third quarter of fiscal 2022, dragged by the war in Ukraine.

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Smiths Group CFO John Shipsey to Step Down; Clare Scherrer Named

Smiths Group PLC said Thursday that Chief Financial Officer John Shipsey is stepping down from the role by mutual agreement on April 29, and that it has appointed Clare Scherrer as his replacement.

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Mediclinic International Expects to Report FY 2022 Revenue Rise

Mediclinic International PLC said on Thursday that it expects to report a rise in revenue for fiscal 2022, and that it sees positive momentum in client activity driving revenue growth and margins in the year ahead.

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Wizz Air Expects Widened Net Loss for FY 2022

Wizz Air Holdings PLC said Thursday that it expects to report a widened net loss for fiscal 2022, and that it is starting to see a recovery taking shape as it moves closer to the summer season.

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Dunelm 3Q Sales Rose on Successful Winter Sale

Dunelm Group PLC said Thursday that total sales increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2022, adding that customers responded well to its winter sale despite a hit in the final three weeks of the quarter due to the Omicron wave of the coronavirus.

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Hays 3Q Net Fees Grew on Like-For-Like Basis; Backs Full-Year Operating Profit Guidance

Hays PLC said Thursday that net fees rose 32% on a like-for-like basis in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 to a record high, and reiterated its full-year operating profit guidance.

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Polar Capital FY 2022 Assets Under Management Rose; Outlook Positive

Polar Capital Holdings PLC said Thursday that assets under management increased in fiscal 2022 because of a combination of outperformance, net inflows and market improvement.

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React Group Plans GBP5.5 Mln Share Placing to Support Acquisitions

React Group PLC said Thursday it intends to raise 5.5 million pounds ($7.2 million) in a share placing, to support its acquisition growth strategy and for general working capital.

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finnCap to Report Rise in FY 2022 Revenue, Pretax Profit in Line with Views

finnCap Group PLC said Thursday that revenue for fiscal 2022 is expected to have increased, with adjusted pretax profit in line with expectations. 


 
Market Talk:

Brexit Red-Tape Turmoil Hits UK-EU Exporters

1739 GMT - UK exporters relying on the EU for their business took a tumble last year amid problems caused by the UK's EU exit, according to official data. The number of UK exporters solely doing business with the EU fell 33% to 18,357 in 2021, from 27,321 in 2020, according to HM Revenue & Customs data cited by accountancy firm UHY Hacker Young, though HMRC stressed that data-collection techniques have changed since the UK left the EU. The drop was due to the extra red tape UK businesses now face in exporting to the bloc, UHY says. "These are really worrying numbers and show the scale of the difficulties UK businesses now face," UHY Senior Manager Michelle Dale says. (philip.waller@wsj.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus; paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-14-22 0308ET