(Adds company news items and futures.)
Feb 4 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 42 points
higher on Tuesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures up 0.7% ahead
of the cash market open.
* BP: BP Plc BP.L raised its dividend and announced the completion of a
$1.5 billion share buyback programme in a sign of confidence in its growing oil
and gas business on the last day in office for Chief Executive Officer Bob
Dudley. * FERGUSON: Plumbing parts distributor Ferguson Plc FERG.L said it is
considering a primary or additional listing of its shares in the United States,
its biggest market, following the demerger of its UK Wolseley business this
year. * GLENCORE: Commodity miner and trader Glencore Plc GLEN.L reported a 9%
fall in fourth-quarter copper production, as its Mutanda mine in the Democratic
Republic of Congo suspended operations prematurely in November. * SHELL: Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L said it has temporarily suspended
production at its Prelude liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility off northwest
Australia on Feb. 2 following an electrical trip. * WIZZ AIR: Wizz Air Holdings Plc's WIZZ.L largest shareholder, private
equity firm Indigo Partners, sold about 12.5 million shares of the low-cost
airline, at a 3.5% discount to Monday's close, according to the bookrunner.
* OIL: Oil prices rose, matching moves in other financial markets, as
investors regained calm after Monday's sharp sell-off on fears of the impact of
the China coronavirus on demand for fuel sent crude to its lowest level in more
than a year. * GOLD: Gold prices were little changed as a firm dollar countered concerns
about a rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak in China and its economic
fallout. * London's main share index bounced back from a seven-week low on Monday, as
strong U.S. economic data kept in check worries about the coronavirus, but gains
for UK-focused midcaps were limited by concerns about the possibility of Britain
having no trade deal in place with the EU by the end of the year. UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB