(Add news items)
April 22(Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen
opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.5%.
* TAYLOR WIMPEY: Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey TW.L forecast
sustained demand as the sector benefits from a lower interest
rate environment and additional budget support measures
announced last month. * ASTRAZENECA: The European Commission is preparing to
launch legal proceedings against vaccine maker AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN),
Politico reported late Wednesday. * RENTOKIL INITIAL: Rentokil Initial RTO.L reported a rise
in quarterly revenue, as enhanced hygiene practices during the
COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for the company's disinfection
services. * DOMINO'S PIZZA: Domino's Pizza Group DOM.L reported
higher first-quarter sales as repeated coronavirus-led lockdowns
pushed up pizza delivery orders. * INFORMA: Informa INF.L said it expects trade shows and
events to gradually return in the second half of the year as
vaccination campaigns roll out. * RELX: Relx REL.L forecast that its three biggest
divisions would help drive growth in underlying revenue and
adjusted operating profit in 2021. * IBSTOCK: Ibstock IBST.L said that it plans to spend 60
million pounds to ramp up brick capacity in two of its
sites. * HSBC: Climate activists shattered at least 19 windows at
HSBC's HSBA.L headquarters in London's Canary Wharf, a Reuters
reporter said. * BOE: The Bank of England said it plans to open a "northern
hub" in England, as part of a drive to make the central bank
less London-centric. * WHITBREAD: Premier Inn-owner Whitbread WTB.L pledged to
attain net zero carbon emissions by 2040, a decade ahead of its
prior commitment, as it speeds up its programme to reduce the
usage of gas, install solar panels and move to an electric
vehicle fleet. * AGGREKO: Aggreko 's AGGK.L 2.3 billion pound takeover by
private equity firms is in doubt because its biggest
shareholder, Liontrust Asset Management, plans to oppose the
deal, Sky News reported on Wednesday. * RYANAIR: Ryanair RYA.I expects a very strong profit
recovery in the year to March 31, 2023, and at best a breakeven
performance over the next 12 months with traffic already
starting to recover, Group Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said
on Wednesday. * OIL: Oil prices fell for a third day as a surprise build
in U.S. crude inventories and a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in
India and Japan raised concerns that a recovery in global
economy and fuel demand may slow.
* London's FTSE 100 rose on Wednesday, led by gains in
AstraZeneca and energy heavyweights BP and Royal Dutch Shell,
while Just Eat Takeaway.com dropped following Uber Eats' plan to
foray into the German market. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please
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