FTSE 100 Seen Opening Higher After Gains on Wall Street

The FTSE 100 is forecast to open higher after a rally on Wall Street overnight with spreadbetting firm IG expecting London's blue-chip stocks index to rise 102 points. "European markets look set to open higher this morning, however any rally is likely to find itself pushing against the headwinds of headlines out of Ukraine, as well as the prospect that Russia might default on a bond payment later today," CMC Markets says. Away from the Russia-Ukraine crisis, the Federal Reserve's policy decision at 1800 GMT will be a key focus for investors. With U.S. inflation at 7.9% and likely to accelerate it's "pretty much certain" that the Fed will start raising interest rates with a 25 basis point rise, CMC says. 


 
Companies News:

Centamin 2021 Profit Halved

Centamin PLC on Wednesday reported a profit drop for 2021, as its flagship Sukari gold mine in Egypt entered into a multiyear reset plan which resulted in lower production and higher costs for the year.

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Hammerson Sells Silverburn for GBP140 Mln

Hammerson PLC said Wednesday that Silverburn, its flagship shopping center near Glasgow, has been sold for 140 million pounds ($182.6 million) cash to entities affiliated with Henderson Park and Eurofund.

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UK Regulator Says NortonLifeLock's Acquisition of Avast Raises Competition Concerns

The U.K. competition watchdog said Wednesday that NortonLifeLock Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Avast PLC raises competition concerns, and that it intends to refer the case for an in-depth investigation.

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Fevertree 2021 Pretax Profit Rose on Strong UK, US, Europe Performance

Fevertree Drinks PLC on Wednesday reported a rise in pretax profit, and said that it maintained its number-one position in the U.K. retail-mixer category.

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Restore PLC 2021 Pretax Profit Soared; Declares Dividend

Restore PLC said Wednesday that pretax profit for 2021 jumped, driven by strong sales momentum, and that it would make a dividend payout.


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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-16-22 0358ET