FTSE 100 Seen Edging Higher Ahead of BOE Decision

FTSE 100 Seen Rising Ahead of BOE Decision

0636 GMT - The FTSE 100 is seen opening higher as investors look ahead to the Bank of England's policy decision later. Spreadbetting firm IG expects the index to start trading up 12 points. "In light of recent events and the slight shift in the Federal Reserve's stance on the timeline of a possible rate rise, today's Bank of England meeting could have the potential to mark a similar shift in timing with respect to the withdrawal of its own monetary policy emergency measures," CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson says. The Fed last week brought forward expectations for its first post-pandemic interest rate rise to 2023, while U.K. economic data has improved. The BOE's decision is scheduled to be released at 1100 GMT. ([e-mail])

 
Companies News: 

Sage Commits to Net-Zero Emissions by 2040

Sage Group PLC on Thursday pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and to halve its carbon emissions by 2030 as part of its new sustainability and society strategy.

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Rathbone Brothers Raises GBP50 Mln in Discounted Share Placing

Rathbone Brothers PLC said Thursday that it has raised 50 million pounds ($69.8 million) in a share placing aimed at funding the acquisition of Saunderson House Ltd.

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Bunzl Expects 1% Rise in 1H Revenue

Bunzl PLC said Thursday that it expects to report a 1% rise in revenue for the first half of 2021 at actual exchange rates and a 6% to 7% gain at constant exchange rates, and backed its revenue guidance for the year.

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John Wood Group Anticipates 12% Adjusted Earnings Drop for 1H

John Wood Group PLC on Thursday forecast that it will report a 21% revenue drop and a 12% decline in underlying earnings for the first half of 2021.

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Next 15 Says Current Trading Is Ahead of Management Expectations

Next Fifteen Communications Group PLC said Thursday that trading in the first four months of the fiscal year has continued ahead of management expectations.

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Lone Star Doesn't Plan Offer for Senior

U.S. private-equity investor Lone Star Global Acquisitions Ltd. said Thursday that it doesn't plan to make an offer for U.K. engineering company Senior PLC.

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Big Yellow Raises GBP100 Mln as Expected via Share Placing

Big Yellow Group PLC said Thursday that it has raised gross proceeds of around 100 million pounds ($139.6 million) as expected via a discounted share placing to expand its portfolio of acquisitions.

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XPS Pensions FY 2021 Profit, Revenue Rose

XPS Pensions Group PLC reported Thursday a rise in pretax profit for fiscal 2021 and said that its outlook is positive.

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STM Group Says Performance Remains in Line With Expectations

STM Group PLC said Thursday that it continues to perform in line with management expectations.

 
Market Talk: 

Rio Tinto, Alcoa Carbon-Free Aluminum Venture May Be Worth Billions

2320 GMT -- -- The carbon-free aluminum smelting technology being developed by Rio Tinto and Alcoa could be worth billions to the companies as the race to "green" aluminum picks up pace, Goldman Sachs says. Several aluminum producers -- including those two, Norsk Hydro and Rusal -- have already reported getting small green premia on some of their aluminum sales, in the order of $5-$20/ton. "The realization of a green premia would make the technology," which Rio Tinto and Alcoa hope to commercialize by 2024, "strongly NPV positive," says GS. ([e-mail]; @RhiannonHoyle)

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

06-24-21 0254ET