UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 24 (updated)
24/03/2026 07:58
Adds news items, upates futures March 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening flat on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1 largely unchanged. * KINGFISHER: Kingfisher KGF.L reported a 6% rise in annual profit, with a resilient performance in the UK offsetting softer markets in France and Poland. * FEVERTREE DRINKS: Fevertree Drinks FEVR.L posted a 16% drop in annual profit, reflecting the impact of a disputed 2.8 million pound (3.76 million) packaging levy and margin pressure from the early stages of its U.S. partnership with Molson Coors TAP.N. * BELLWAY: Bellway BWY.L trimmed its operating margin outlook for fiscal 2026, as the sector grapples with the risk of further interest rate hikes dampening housing demand. * S4 CAPITAL: The advertising group SFOR.L expects lower like-for-like net revenue in the first quarter of 2026, it said on Tuesday, as clients cut back spending due to the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. * SHELL: Shell SHEL.L is concerned that the Iran war could impact long-term confidence in the affordability and security of natural gas supplies, the company's president of integrated gas said. * BP: The United Steelworkers said BP BP.L engaged in unfair labour practices by locking out nearly 800 workers at its Whiting, Indiana, oil refinery, and urged the company to resume contract talks. * UNILEVER: The Ben & Jerry's Foundation said it had won a court ruling to join a lawsuit challenging its ultimate parent company, The Magnum Ice Cream Company MICCT.AS, where Unilever ULVR.L has 19.9% stake, over contractual obligations and independence. * ENERGY COSTS: British supermarkets will soon be able to sell plug-in solar panels, the government said on Tuesday, as part of a push to help curb fossil fuel use and protect households from soaring energy costs. * COMMODITIES: Oil prices rose, while gold prices fell, and London copper slipped. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/ TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times PRESS/FT > Other business headlines PRESS/GB (Compiled by Roshni Srivastava in Bengaluru) ((roshni.srivastava@thomsonreuters.com))