Corporate results to guide London stocks

28 Nov, 2005

The British stock market could be lifted this week by a batch of corporate results as the FTSE index looks to hang on to recent gains.
The FTSE 100 index of leading London shares closed at 5,523.8 points on Friday, a rise of 0.45 percent or 24.9 points from the previous week.
It was the fifth week in a row that the index had closed higher.
Closest on the corporate radar this week is Compass Group, the world's biggest caterer, posting its annual results on Tuesday.
Britain's Serious Fraud Office said this week that it had launched a preliminary probe into Compass Group, which is already under the spotlight for alleged corruption concerning UN contracts.
The caterer is the subject of a federal investigation in the United States where it is suspected of involvement in alleged corrupt buying practices at the United Nations.
British banking giant Barclays and home improvement chain Kingfisher are to issue third-quarter trading updates on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.
Investors will also absorb developments from the annual conference of the Confederation of British Industry, the country's biggest business association, which takes place in London on Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers and central bank governors also meet in London on Friday and Saturday. The G7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.
Added to the mix, a key independent report on pensions policy in Britain is due for publication on Wednesday.

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