Sterling Investors to Watch This Week's UK Data Closely

Sterling Investors to Watch This Week's UK Data Closely

0731 GMT - A number of U.K. data releases this week will be closely watched by sterling investors who will be looking to see whether it underpins or casts doubt over the Bank of England's "relatively upbeat growth outlook," ING says. Although strength in the safe-haven U.S. dollar could prevent GBP/USD rising about 1.4000, EUR/GBP could move back below 0.8500 if U.K. data remain supportive, it says. GBP/USD is last flat at 1.3859, while EUR/GBP is steady at 0.8507. U.K. data include jobs figures Tuesday, inflation Wednesday and retail sales Friday. ([e-mail])

 
Companies News: 

BHP Considers Sale of $15 Billion-Valued Petroleum Business

BHP Group Ltd. said it is considering the sale of its petroleum business, a move that would reduce its exposure to fossil fuels amid growing pressure from investors and governments for resources companies to cut emissions.

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HSBC Plans $575 Mln Acquisition of AXA Singapore

HSBC Holdings PLC plans to acquire AXA Singapore for $575 million, as the Asia-focused bank steps up efforts to expand its wealth-management business in the region.

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Future PLC Buys Dennis From Exponent Private Equity for $416 Mln

Future PLC said Monday that it has acquired Dennis, a consumer media company that publishes titles including Kiplinger, MoneyWeek, The Week and IT Pro, from Exponent Private Equity LLP for around 300 million pounds ($416 million) in cash.

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Immotion Says It Achieved Positive Ebitda Year-to-Date on July Performance

Immotion Group PLC said Monday that it has achieved overall Ebitda profitability for the first seven months of the year, thanks to a strong July performance, and that it remains optimistic about its prospects for the second half.

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Ultra Electronics Agrees to GBP2.57 Bln Takeover by Advent's Cobham

Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC said Monday that it has agreed to a 2.57 billion-pound ($3.56 billion) takeover by Cobham Ultra Acquisitions Ltd., as first announced last month.

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Shares in i3 Energy Rise as Net Operating Income Guidance Is Raised

Shares in i3 Energy PLC rose Monday after the company raised its net operating income guidance for the next 12 months.

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Just Group Sells Mortgage Portfolio to Rothesay Life for GBP334 Mln

Just Group PLC said Monday that it sold a proportion of a portfolio of lifetime mortgages to Rothesay Life for 334 million pounds ($463.1 million) and that it expects to sell the remaining tranche of loans over the coming weeks.

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MTI Wireless Edge 1H Pretax Profit, Revenue Rose

MTI Wireless Edge Ltd. said Monday that pretax profit and revenue for the first half of 2021 rose, and that it is well placed to continue to increase its revenue streams and profitability.

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Clipper Logistics Signs New Contract With John Lewis

Clipper Logistics PLC said on Monday that it has signed a new contract with U.K. department store chain John Lewis Partnership PLC, and that around 200 new jobs will be created at its Bardon, England, facility to support the new contract.

 
Market Talk: 

UK 10Y Gilt Yields Could Break Above 0.62% This Week

0745 GMT - The yield on the 10-year U.K. benchmark sovereign bond could break up through a key chart level at around 0.62% this week, says Mizuho. "We see reasons to fade last Friday's strength and the strategic case for decently higher gilt yields looks well supported," it says. U.K. data due this week and greater supply of longer-dated gilts should support the move higher in yields, from 0.554% at present. "The market expects a small dip in consumer price index [data] and retail sales, together with an unchanged unemployment rate. This should support the BOE's continued hawkish skew," they say. Meanwhile, some more duration in gilt supply this week should enable greater market moves, they add. ([e-mail])

Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-16-21 0406ET