London Stocks Seen Opening Slightly Higher, Focus on PMI Data

0645 GMT - The FTSE 100 is expected to open 12.8 points higher, according to IG, having closed on Tuesday at 7270.76. Focus will center on purchasing managers' surveys in the eurozone, U.K. and U.S. for signs of how economies are holding up in the face of substantial increases in interest rates. These could give clues as to whether rates will rise much further. "In the U.S., data for August so far has been very mixed and today's release should create some clarity on the direction of the U.S. economy after what looks to have been a fairly strong July," analysts at Danske Bank say in a note. U.K. provisional PMIs are due at 0830 GMT. (jessica.fleetham@wsj.com)

COMPANIES NEWS:

Reckitt Benckiser CFO to Retire; Shannon Eisenhardt Tapped as Replacement

Reckitt Benckiser Group said Chief Financial Officer Jeff Carr will step down on March 31, and that Shannon Eisenhardt will take up the role on Oct. 17.

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Costain 1H Pretax Profit Fell on Higher Costs; Mulls Dividend

Costain Group said that first-half pretax profit fell on the back of higher costs and that it is considering the payment of an interim dividend.

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Bluejay Mining Raises GBP600,000 Through Share Placing

Bluejay Mining said it has raised 600,000 pounds ($763,920) through a private share placing, which will be used on its wholly-owned Hammaslahti project in Finland.

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Reckitt Benckiser CFO to Retire; Nike's Shannon Eisenhardt Named as Replacement -- Update

Reckitt Benckiser Group's Chief Financial Officer Jeff Carr plans to step down on March 31 and will be replaced by Nike's Shannon Eisenhardt.

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Angling Direct Sees FY 2024 in Line With Market Views, Buoyed by UK Sales Momentum

Angling Direct expects its fiscal 2024 performance to be in line with market views, driven by continuing U.K. sales momentum and growth in European sales during the first half, it said Wednesday.


Contact: London NewsPlus, Dow Jones Newswires;

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

08-23-23 0305ET