Index falls as earnings results weigh; pound above $1.33, Bodycote soars
(Adds company news items, futures)
Oct 15 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 33
points lower at 5,902 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, with
futures down 0.7% ahead of cash market open.
* HAYS: Recruitment agency Hays Plc HAYS.L said it expects the first half
of the year to be modestly profitable as its temporary hiring remained stable
overall, even as it posted a 29% drop in its first-quarter net fees due to the
coronavirus crisis. * DOMINO'S PIZZA: Domino's Pizza Group DOM.L said it expects 2020 profit
to be in line with the market view as a lower tax rate and higher online orders
helped it post a 19% jump in third-quarter sales. * AO WORLD: British online electricals retailer AO World AO.L said it
expected to report a 57% increase in first-half revenue to 715 million pounds
($930 million) after benefiting from strong consumer demand during the COVID-19
pandemic. * DUNELM: British home furnishing retailer Dunelm DNLM.L posted a 37% jump
in first-quarter sales as it benefited from higher online demand for its
homewares, as well as in-store recovery following the initial round of
lockdowns. * MARSTON'S: Pub operator Marston's MARS.L announced job cuts as a result
of the UK's new round of coronavirus restrictions, saying 2,150 people currently
on furloughs would be affected after it posted a 30% drop in annual sales.
* GOLD: Gold prices dipped as the dollar steadied and comments from U.S.
Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin dashed hopes of a new fiscal stimulus package
before the presidential election. * OIL: Oil prices edged higher, extending their 2% gains from the previous
session, after data showed U.S. crude stockpiles fell last week, while OPEC and
its allies were seen complying with their pact to curb output in September.
* The FTSE 100 slipped on Wednesday as signs of progress in Brexit talks
boosted sterling, putting pressure on companies that are big exporters, while a
clutch of upbeat corporate earnings limited declines. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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