UK Stocks - Factors to watch on Nov 26

 

Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 10 to 11 points lower, or down as much as 0.2 percent on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, reversing some of the previous session's gains after weakness overnight in Asia.

The UK blue chip index closed 40.85 points, or 0.8 percent higher on Wednesday at 5,364.81, buoyed by strength in heavyweight miners as metal prices rebounded.

After Wednesday's revised second reading for the UK third-quarter GDP numbers, there is little important data due for release on Thursday, although the November CBI distributive trades report could attract attention at 1100 GMT.

And trading is expected to tail off in the afternoon with U.S. markets closed on Thursday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, supported by data that pointed to stabilization in the labour and housing markets. However, trading volume was among the lightest of the year one day before Thanks giving.

But equity markets across Asia were subdued on Thursday as investors digested some mixed economic data in the region.

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Dollar 14-yr low vs yen, gold at new high

* US STOCKS-Wall St ends higher on jobless claims, home sales

* Nikkei slips as yen hits 14-yr high on dollar

* FOREX-Dollar hits 14-year low on yen, losses deepen

* TREASURIES-U.S. bonds gain ground after auction

* Oil above $77 on weak dollar, lower inventory build

* PRECIOUS-Gold hits record high above $1,192/oz

* METALS-Copper seen rising; but steady dlr may cap gains

UK stocks to watch on Thursday are:

WATER COMPANIES

Regulator Ofwat delivers its final price determination for the sector.

Water prices in Scotland will rise at 5 percent below inflation over the next five years, the Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS) said on Thursday.

BHP BILLITON, RIO TINTO

BHP Billiton dismissed talk on Thursday that rival Rio Tinto was baulking ata proposed $116 billion joint venture in iron ore, insisting the two were close to a binding agreement.

ANTOFAGASTA

The Chilean copper miner delivers third-quarter results.

VODAFONE

Vodafone is planning to close its 755 million pounds final salary pension scheme to around 4,000 of it's employees, the Financial Times reported.

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS

Caution over the near-term outlook remains but there is light at the end ofthe tunnel, Inter Continental Hotels' chief executive, Andrew Cossletttold the Independent in an interview.

TESCO

Tesco will have the Apple iPhone in its stores in time for Christmas and this raises the prospect of price war with current suppliers O2 and Orange, The Guardian said.

DAILY MAIL & GENERAL

The newspaper publisher posts full-year results.

DSG INTERNATIONAL

The electricals retailer issues first-half results.

MITCHELLS & BUTLERS

The pubs operator reports first-half results.

CLINTON CARDS

The greetings cards retailer issues a trading update.

JOHNSTON PRESS

Britain's biggest publisher of regional newspapers is to begin charging for the online content of some of its titles, the Independent said.

ASSURA GROUP

The healthcare group reports first-half results.

CASTINGS

The iron castings supplier posts first-half results.

FUTURE

The publishing group issues fourth-quarter results.

GOLDSHIELD GROUP

The healthcare firm reports first-half results.

HAMPSON INDUSTRIES

The engineer delivers first-half results.

HELICAL BAR

The real estate group posts first-half results.

JARVIS

The contractor reports first-half results.