UKX FTSE 100 Index

FTSE 100 Set to Open Lower After Asia Falls, US Gains

The FTSE 100 is expected to open 39 points lower at 7039, according to CMC Markets, after mostly downbeat trading in Asia, though Wall Street rose. Stocks in mainland China and Hong Kong are down 0.1% and 1.9% respectively, while the Nikkei 225 drops 1.8%. The Dow Jones closed 0.4% ahead. "Markets in Europe look set to open slightly lower after another Asia session in which stocks slid sharply, despite reports Thursday that suggested Chinese regulators were softening their positioning on regulation over concerns about the extent of the recent sell-off," CMC's Michael Hewson says.

 
Companies News: 

IAG 1H Net Loss Narrowed; 2021 Financial Guidance Suspended Due to Pandemic

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA said Friday that its net loss narrowed for the first half after booking lower costs, and that it wasn't providing any financial guidance for 2021 due to the continuing effects stemming from the pandemic.

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Pearson 1H Pretax Profit Fell; Sees Full-Year on Track

Pearson PLC said Friday that first-half pretax profit fell due to the sale of its remaining stake in Penguin Random House last year and restructuring costs, and that it is on track to meet its expectations for the full year.

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Intertek Group 1H Pretax Profit Rose; Well Positioned to Benefit From Industry Growth

Intertek Group PLC on Friday reported a 29% rise in pretax profit for the first half of the year and said it is well positioned to benefit from the growth acceleration in the global quality assurance industry.

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Fortress Investment Group Expects to Clear Regulatory Condition for Morrisons Deal

Fortress Investment Group, which is leading a group of investors that agreed to buy Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC earlier this month, said Friday that U.K. antitrust regulators confirmed they have no further questions in relation to the bid.

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IMI PLC 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose, Raises Dividend

IMI PLC said Friday that pretax profit and revenue rose in the first half of the year, and declared an increased interim dividend.

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NatWest Swung to 2Q Pretax Profit, Resumes Dividend, to Launch GBP750 Mln Share Buyback -- Update

NatWest Group PLC on Friday reported a swing to a pretax profit ahead of market views for the second quarter of 2021 and said that it intends to launch a significant share buyback program after resuming its dividend.

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 30, 2021 03:01 ET (07:01 GMT)

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