(Adds company news items)
Dec 3 - Britain's futures were down 0.02% ahead of cash markets open on
Tuesday.
* FERGUSON: Plumbing parts distributor Ferguson Plc FERG.L reported a 9%
rise in first-quarter profit, boosted by a rise in residential housing activity
in the United States. * INMARSAT: Hedge fund investors in Inmarsat ISA.L said they would not
object to the satellite company's takeover by a private equity-led consortium at
a court hearing after the buyers said on Monday they would not increase or
extend their offer. * CINEWORLD: UK-based international cinema chain Cineworld Group Plc
CINE.L warned that revenue for the full year is expected to be slightly below
the company's expectations due to weaker box office demand. * CENTAMIN: Canada's Endeavour Mining Corp EDV.TO said it plans to take
its 1.47 billion pound ($1.89 billion) buyout offer for Centamin Plc CEY.L
directly to shareholders, after the British gold miner refused to discuss the
bid. * GOLD: Gold prices were trading in a narrow range as investors stayed on
the sidelines, even as U.S. President Donald Trump's move to slap tariffs on
Brazil and Argentina stoked fresh global trade tensions. * OIL: Oil prices rose as OPEC and its allies discuss whether to deepen a
supply cut pact ahead of meetings this week, although prospects after Saudi
Arabia's planned listing of Aramco fuelled uncertainty for traders, limiting
gains. * The UK blue chip index closed down 0.8% on Monday as a combination of U.S.
President Donald Trump setting off global trade worries and disappointing data
from the world's biggest economy doused the morning's cheer.
* 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