LONDON, Sept 2 (Reuters) – Britain’s FTSE 100 .FTSE is
seen falling 17-18 points on Thursday, as investors were seen
pausing for breath after four straight days of gains.
Britain’s top share index is expected to fall around 0.3
percent by financial bookmakers after it gained 2.7 percent on
Wednesday.
The overall tone of the market is set to remain more upbeat
as strong U.S. data reassured investors that the global economic
recovery is on track.
The Institute for Supply Management said its index of U.S.
factory activity rose to 56.3 in August from 55.5 in July, much
higher than forecast by economists. [ID:nN01115840]
This, added to strong manufacturing and growth data from
China and Australia respectively banished some of the anxiety in
the markets that had pressured riskier assets such as equities,
and helped Japan’s Nikkei 225 .N225 gain 1.1 percent.
Domestically, British investors will watch Nationwide house
price data for August released at 0600 GMT for more of a steer
on the state of the UK economy.
The European Central Bank is set to keep interest rates at
a record low of 1 percent, in a decision to be announced at 1145
GMT.
U.S. data due later includes weekly jobless numbers and
pending home sales, giving further indications on the strength
of the recovery in the world’s biggest economy.
* US STOCKS-Wall St jumps on data in best day in 8 weeks
[ID:nN01131539]
* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asia stocks rise, US data soothes fears
[ID:nSGE681023]
* Nikkei up 1.2 pct, climbs further above 16-mth low
[ID:nTOE681026]
* TREASURIES-Scrape slim gains in Asia after dive in US
[ID:nTOE681020]
* Dollar, yen retain losses made on upbeat data
[ID:nTOE680064]
* Oil slips as investors eye U.S. jobs reports
[ID:nSGE68103Q]
* PRECIOUS-Gold inches up as econ outlook remains murky
[ID:nTOE681038]
* METALS-Copper firm, but Friday’s jobs number worries
[ID:nSGE68103V]
UK stocks to watch on Thursday are:
BP (BP.L)
The oil giant expects to remove a failed blowout preventer
atop its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well by Saturday or Sunday
and later plug the leak for good, the top U.S. official
overseeing the spill response said on Wednesday. [ID:nN01167526]
BAE SYSTEMS (BAES.L)
The defence firm received a $629 million contract to upgrade
1,700 Caiman MRAP vehicles. [ID:nWNAB2700]
BARCLAYS (BARC.L)
The bank has sold 143 billion yen ($1.7 billion) of Samurai
bonds in four tranches, lead manager Barclays Capital Japan said
on Thursday. [ID:nTKW007095]
AUTONOMY (AUTN.L)
Britain’s biggest software company could find itself at the
centre of a multi-million pound takeover battle with U.S. techno
giants Microsoft and Oracle touted as potential suitors, the
Daily Mail market report said.
REDROW (RDW.L)
Speculators remain convinced that founder and chairman Steve
Morgan of the housebuilder, who owns 29.9 percent of the equity,
will soon take the company back into private hands at 495
million pounds, or 160 pence a share, the Daily Mail market
report said.
DSG International (DSGI.L)
The electricals retailer releases a trading update.
GO AHEAD GROUP (GOG.L)
The transport company releases its full-year results.
HAYS (HAYS.L)
The recruitment company releases its full-year results.
MCBRIDE (MCB.L)
The cleaning care products producer releases its full-year
results.
THE RESTAURANT GROUP (RTN.L)
The company releases its first half results.
TODAY’S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]
> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]
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