The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index closed Tuesday down 0.1% to 7934 points, in line with global peers, as a drop in financial stocks offset a rise for miners ahead of the European Central Bank's interest-rate decision later this week. Forecasts imply the ECB won't cut rates after strong U.S. jobs data and robust oil prices, which also raised expectations that the U.S. Fed won't cut rates until later in the year, AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould wrote in a note. Engineering and defence firm BAE Systems was the index's and worst performer, down 4.5% following a sector-wide drop. Rolls-Royce shares closed down 3.9%, followed by Standard Chartered, down 3.75%.


COMPANIES NEWS:

ProCook Group Revenue Rises, Boosted by Retail Division

ProCook Group reported a strong increase in revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter driven by its performance in retail.

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Animalcare Pretax Profit Rises on Sales Growth

Animalcare Group said pretax profit rose after strong sales growth and an improved performance in the second half.

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Imperial Brands Backs Half-Year, Full-Year Guidance

Imperial Brands backed its profit and revenue guidance for fiscal 2024 after a first-half performance supported by strong tobacco pricing.

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BP Expects Profit Boosted By Higher Oil, Gas Production

BP expects a boost to its first-quarter underlying replacement-cost profit--a metric similar to net income used by U.S. oil companies--from higher upstream and oil production, as well as a slightly higher output of gas and low carbon energy, compared with the preceding quarter.

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HSBC to Sell Argentina Business for $550.0 Million

HSBC Holdings has agreed to sell its Argentina business to the country's largest private financial group for $550.0 million as it looks to spend resources on higher-value opportunities.

MARKET TALK:

Comex Gold Futures' Bullish Bias Still Intact on Daily Chart

0700 GMT - Comex gold futures' bullish bias remains intact on the daily chart as the contract continued to post a fresh "higher high" together with a "higher low" on Monday, says Joseph Chai, a technical analyst at RHB Retail Research, in a commentary. The futures will likely extend gains in the immediate sessions to test the $2,400/oz level, Chai says, noting the contract has yet to show any signs of weakness despite the relative strength index hovering at 83% in overbought territory. However, if momentum slows down, the $2,250/oz level will likely provide a buffer against selling pressure, Chai adds. Spot gold is 0.3% higher at $2,345.12/oz. (ronnie.harui@wsj.com)


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires; Dow Jones Newswires; paul.larkins@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-09-24 1231ET