London Stocks Seen Opening Slightly Lower

0748 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open 18.1 points lower, according to IG, having closed Thursday at 7260.61, tracking falls in U.S. and Asian stocks as investors digest the prospect of tighter monetary policy after Thursday's string of central bank decisions. "Risk sentiment turned suddenly sour on Thursday," Swissquote analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya says. Concerns about rising Covid-19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly also weigh on sentiment. The U.K. became the first major central bank to raise interest rates on Thursday to tackle rising inflation. The impact of the FTSE 100 is likely to be cushioned, however, by a cheap pound and a relatively heavy weighting of banking stocks in the index, Ozkardeskaya says. (jessica.fleetham@wsj.com) 


 
Companies News:

Johnson Matthey to Sell Health Business to Altaris Capital Partners for $433 Mln

Johnson Matthey PLC said Friday that it has agreed to sell its health business to Altaris Capital Partners for an enterprise value of 325 million pounds ($433 million).

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Air Partner Raises FY 2022 Pretax Profit Expectations

Air Partner PLC said Friday that it now expects fiscal 2022 pretax profit to be materially ahead of current market expectations after experiencing a strong performance in the second half.

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SIG Sees FY Underlying Operating Profit Ahead of Views on 4Q Performance

SIG PLC said Friday that it is confident of delivering full-year underlying operating profit ahead of prior expectations as it benefited from a better-than-forecast performance in the fourth quarter.

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Bidstack Group Sees FY 2021 Profit in Line With Market Views

Bidstack Group PLC on Friday said gross and net profit for fiscal 2021 are anticipated to be broadly in line with market expectations after significant deals, though revenue is expected to be below views because of agreement delays.

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NatWest Enters into Legally Binding Agreement for Stake in Permanent TSB

NatWest Group PLC said Friday that with its subsidiary Ulster Bank Ltd, it has entered into a legally binding agreement with Permanent TSB Group Holdings PLC as part of its phased withdrawal from Ireland.

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Dow Jones Newswires; paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-17-21 0307ET