By Samuel Indyk
Investing.com – At 07:43BST, FTSE 100 Futures are trading lower by 0.4% at 7187.
In FX markets, GBP/USD is trading at 1.3727, EUR/GBP is trading at 0.8432. The US Dollar Index is up 0.2%.
Today’s calendar highlights include US Industrial Production, NAHB Housing Market Index, Canadian Housing Starts, BoC Business Outlook Survey.
Stocks
National Grid (LON:NG) - UK Electricity Transmission unit expected to see depreciation increase by around £50 million in the full year. Group continues to perform in line with expectations, however H1 underlying earnings per share is expected to see a marginally greater weighting this year versus prior years.
Playtech (LON:PTEC) - Aristocrat Leisure Limited to buy Playtech for 680 pence per share in cash, valuing Playtech at approximately £2.7 billion on an enterprise value basis.
AstraZeneca PLC (LON:AZN) (NASDAQ:AZN) - Received notification of a mini-tender offer to ADS holders by TRC Capital Investment Corporation. TRC Capital offered to purchase up to 2 million ADSs at a price of $57.88, 4.5% below the closing price on 8th October, the last day before the mini-tender offer commenced. AstraZeneca does not in any way recommend or endorse the TRC Capital offer and recommends that shareholders reject the offer.
Schroders (LON:SDR) - Assets Under Management at 30th September total £716.9 billion, up from £700.4 billion at end of June.
Tesco (LON:TSCO) - Commences its programme to buy back shares with an aggregate market value equivalent of up to £500 million.
Polymetal (LON:POLYP) - The company’s Nezhda gold-silver mine has successfully produced first gold and silver concentrate on October 16th.
National Express (LON:NEX)/Stagecoach (LON:SGC) - The two companies have extended the deadline in relation to the possible all-share combination. Discussions between the parties and reciprocal due diligence remain ongoing. A further statement will be made as and when appropriate.
THG (LON:THG) - CEO Matthew Moulding confirms intention to cancel his Special Share rights which will facilitate the Group's application to step-up to the Premium segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in 2022.
Thungela Resources (LON:TGAT) - Full year 2021 export saleable production guidance is moderated to 14.8Mt - 15.2Mt, from 15Mt - 16Mt previously due to a deterioration in rail performance in H2 2021.
Sectors
Utility companies - UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering cutting VAT on household energy bills.