FTSE 100 Seen Opening Slightly Higher Ahead of BOE Decision

The FTSE 100 is expected to open tentatively higher as investors look ahead to the Bank of England's policy decision later Thursday after the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2018. Spreadbetting firm IG expects London's index of blue-chip stocks to start the session up 6 points. The Fed on Wednesday lifted the federal funds rate target by 25 basis points to a range of 0.25%-0.50%, and most policymakers forecast the rate rising to a range of 1.75%-2% by year-end. "The Bank of England looks set to follow suit with another 25bp move later today, and their third rate hike in as many meetings," CMC Markets says. The BOE's decision is at 1200 GMT. 


 
Companies News:

Harbour Energy Swung to 2021 Profit as Gas Prices Soared

Harbour Energy PLC on Thursday reported a swing to a profit for 2021, as higher gas prices boosted revenue from its fields.

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National Express Says Combination With Stagecoach Better Opportunity Than DWS Offer

National Express Group PLC said Thursday that it thinks a combination between it and Stagecoach Group PLC represents a superior value creation opportunity compared with an offer from German asset manager DWS.

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AstraZeneca Agrees on Settlement With Chugai Pharmaceutical; To Pay $775M

AstraZeneca PLC said Thursday that its rare-disease group, Alexion, has agreed on a settlement with Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. that resolves all patent disputes related to Ultomiris, and that it will make a payment of $775 million in the second quarter.

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Cineworld Loss Narrowed in 2021 as Admissions Bounced Back

Cineworld Group PLC on Thursday reported a narrowed loss for 2021, as its performance partially recovered from the effect of the pandemic in 2020.

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Deliveroo 2021 Pretax Loss Widened; Sees 2022 Lower Growth on Market Uncertainties

Deliveroo PLC on Thursday said that 2021 pretax loss has widened despite higher revenue and also warned that it expects market uncertainties to reduce growth in 2022.

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Ocado 1Q Retail Revenue Fell on Changing Customer Shopping Habits Amid Higher Prices

Ocado Group PLC reported on Thursday a decline in sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 as pandemic restrictions eased and more customers returned to office working.

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Ceres Power 2021 Loss Widened Despite Revenue Growth of 44%

Ceres Power Holdings PLC on Thursday reported a widened loss for 2021 but forecast that strong top-line growth will continue this year.

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Helios Towers 2021 Pretax Loss Widened Significantly on Higher Costs

Helios Towers PLC on Thursday reported a significantly widened pretax loss for 2021, a result of higher costs as well as movements in the company's derivative financial instruments that reflect the embedded call option in its bond.


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Write to Sarka Halas at sarka.halas@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-17-22 0404ET