FTSE 100 to Open Slightly Lower as Oil Prices Fall

The FTSE 100 is seen opening slightly lower with spreadbetting firm IG expecting it to drop 5 points. Oil prices fall after reports the U.S. is considering releasing up to 180 million barrels of oil from its petroleum reserves in coming months to help bring down soaring crude prices. "That's good, because OPEC and Russia are likely to stick to their existing deal to gradually increase oil production," Swissquote Bank analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya says in a note. Meanwhile, fourth-quarter U.K. economic growth was raised to 1.3% quarter-on-quarter from a previous estimate of 1.0% and separate data showed the U.K. current account deficit shrank to GBP7.3 billion in the fourth quarter from GBP28.9 billion previously.


 
Companies News: 

Mears Group Swung to 2021 Pretax Profit on Higher revenue

Mears Group PLC said Thursday that it swung to pretax profit in 2021 as revenue increased, and that its performance in 2022 was currently in line with the board's expectations.

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City of London Group's Recognise Bank Reaches GBP100 Mln Lending, GBP95 Mln Deposits

City of London Group PLC said Thursday that Recognise Bank Ltd. has delivered 100 million pounds ($131.3 million) in lending to U.K. small and medium enterprises in the six months since September, when it achieved a full banking license.

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Provident Financial Swung to 2021 Pretax Profit; Resumes Dividend Payout

Provident Financial PLC on Thursday reported a swing to pretax profit for 2021 on the back of a positive macroeconomic environment as the company rebuilds its business with the launch of its personal loans business and the closure of consumer credit division, but it was below market consensus.

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Sportech 2021 Pretax Loss Narrowed on Trading Recovery

Sportech PLC said Thursday that its pretax loss for 2021 narrowed significantly on higher revenue as 2020 was affected by strict Covid-19 restrictions.

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Royal Bank of Canada to Buy Brewin Dolphin for $2.1 Bln -- Update

Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC said Thursday that it has agreed to a 1.6 billion-pound ($2.10 billion) takeover by Royal Bank of Canada after being hit by the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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James Halstead 2021 Earnings Fell Slightly

James Halstead PLC reported Thursday a slight fall in 2021 pretax profit, noting that higher prices don't seem to have slowed demand, with sales increasing in February and March.

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Emmerson Says Financing Discussions for Khemisset Potash Project Are Progressing Well

Emmerson PLC said Thursday that financing discussions for its Khemisset potash project in Morocco progressed well in the first quarter of 2021.

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Euromoney Institutional Investor on Track to Meet FY 2022 Expectations

Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC said Thursday that its first-half performance was encouraging and that it continues to be well placed to post fiscal 2022 results in line with the board's expectations.

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Mears Group Swung to 2021 Pretax Profit on Higher revenue

Mears Group PLC said Thursday that it swung to pretax profit in 2021 as revenue increased, and that its performance in 2022 was currently in line with the board's expectations.

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City of London Group's Recognise Bank Reaches GBP100 Mln Lending, GBP95 Mln Deposits

City of London Group PLC said Thursday that Recognise Bank Ltd. has delivered 100 million pounds ($131.3 million) in lending to U.K. small and medium enterprises in the six months since September, when it achieved a full banking license.

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Provident Financial Swung to 2021 Pretax Profit; Resumes Dividend Payout

Provident Financial PLC on Thursday reported a swing to pretax profit for 2021 on the back of a positive macroeconomic environment as the company rebuilds its business with the launch of its personal loans business and the closure of consumer credit division, but it was below market consensus.

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Sportech 2021 Pretax Loss Narrowed on Trading Recovery

Sportech PLC said Thursday that its pretax loss for 2021 narrowed significantly on higher revenue as 2020 was affected by strict Covid-19 restrictions.

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Royal Bank of Canada to Buy Brewin Dolphin for $2.1 Bln -- Update

Brewin Dolphin Holdings PLC said Thursday that it has agreed to a 1.6 billion-pound ($2.10 billion) takeover by Royal Bank of Canada after being hit by the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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James Halstead 2021 Earnings Fell Slightly

James Halstead PLC reported Thursday a slight fall in 2021 pretax profit, noting that higher prices don't seem to have slowed demand, with sales increasing in February and March.

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Emmerson Says Financing Discussions for Khemisset Potash Project Are Progressing Well

Emmerson PLC said Thursday that financing discussions for its Khemisset potash project in Morocco progressed well in the first quarter of 2021.

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Euromoney Institutional Investor on Track to Meet FY 2022 Expectations

Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC said Thursday that its first-half performance was encouraging and that it continues to be well placed to post fiscal 2022 results in line with the board's expectations.


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

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

03-31-22 0309ET