FTSE 100 Set to Fall After Asia Trades Mixed, US Drops

0639 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open 25 points lower at 7124, according to CMC Markets, after mixed trading in Asia and a negative close on Wall Street. Stocks in mainland China edge 0.1% higher and Japan's Nikkei rises 0.9%, though Hong Kong's Hang Seng drops 0.2%. The Dow ended Tuesday 0.8% adrift. "The slide in U.S. stocks and a mixed Asia session looks set to translate into a weaker European open this morning, though the Nikkei 225 has maintained its resilience moving above the 30,000 level for the first time since April," CMC's Michael Hewson says. (philip.waller@wsj.com) 


 
Companies News:

Morrisons in Talks Over Potential Auction to Resolve Bidding War

Wm. Morrison Supermarkets PLC said Wednesday that it is in talks over a possible auction to resolve a competitive situation between Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC and a consortium led by Fortress Investment Group LLC.

---

Smiths Group Agrees to ICU Medical's Offer for Smiths Medical

Smiths Group PLC said Wednesday that its board has withdrawn its recommendation of the deal entered with TA Associates LLP for the sale of Smiths Medical as it has now agreed to sell it to ICU Medical, Inc. on better terms.

---

Halfords 20-Week Revenue Rose on Increased Scale, Retail Growth

Halfords Group PLC said Wednesday that 20-week sales rose compared to pre-pandemic comparative figures, driven by the increased scale of its autocentres business, growth in retail motoring and strong growth in retail cycling.

---

Dunelm Declares Special Dividend on Raised Profit; Expects to Beat FY 2022 Market Views

Dunelm Group PLC said Wednesday that it would pay a special dividend after its fiscal 2021 profit grew from both the prior year and fiscal 2019, and that it expects to beat market expectations for its current year.

---

REA Holdings Swung to 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose

R.E.A. Holdings PLC said Wednesday that it swung to a first-half pretax profit while revenue rose on the back of firm crude palm-oil prices and increased production.

---

Biffa Net Revenue for Five Months to Aug 12% Higher Vs. in 2019

Biffa PLC said Wednesday that group net revenue for the five months to August was 12% higher than in 2019's comparable period, and that the board's outlook for the year remains positive and in line with its expectations.

---

S4 Capital Says MediaMonks, LA Agency Cashmere Will Merge

S4 Capital PLC said on Wednesday that U.S.-based marketing agency Cashmere Agency will merge with MediaMonks, its wholly-owned marketing and advertising company.

---

Bakkavor 1H Pretax Profit Rose More Than Fivefold

Bakkavor Group PLC on Wednesday reported a significant rise in pretax profit for the first half of 2021 and said its outlook is positive, in line with the board's expectations, despite industry-wide challenges.

---

Accesso Upgrades Revenue Forecast on Strong Momentum

Accesso Technology Group PLC said Wednesday that the board has revised upwards its full-year revenue forecasts after closing July and August with a strong performance.

---

CPP Group CFO Oliver Laird Resigns

CPPGroup PLC said Wednesday that Chief Financial Officer Oliver Laird has resigned in order to take up a new role.

Contact: London NewsPlus, paul.larkins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

09-08-21 0305ET