UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 4

March 4 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening down on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1> down 0.57%.

* SHELL: Shell SHEL.L announced its director of Integrated Gas And Upstream, Zoe Yujnovich, will step down and named insiders Cederic Cremers as president, Integrated Gas, and Peter Costello as president, Upstream.

BP: BP BP.L plans to hire two new directors to help it pivot back to oil and gas, the Financial Times reported.

Lloyd's: Lloyd’s is taking steps to ensure sensitive information related to market participants is appropriately safeguarded while CEO John Neal serves out his notice, according to sources close to the corporation.

CANAL+: Canal+ CAN.L delayed its takeover of MultiChoice MCGJ.J as regulators need more time to clear the deal, while forecasting a drop in annual revenue.

GREGGS: Greggs GRG.L said sales growth slowed further in 2025, with "challenging" weather conditions in January followed by improved trading in February.

BEAZLY: Beazley BEZG.L reported a 13% rise in annual pretax profit on growth in its property risks premiums and launched a $500 million share buyback.

SMITHS NEWS: Smiths News said its CFO Paul Baker intends to leave the firm after more than three-and-a-half years in the role.

ASHTEAD: Ashtead AHT.L missed third-quarter pretax profit and revenue expectations , pressured by weakness in the U.S. construction sector.
REACH: Reach RCH.L reported better-than-expected 2024 annual profit , helped by events like Taylor Swift's Eras tour and the European football championship, and higher yield from targeted advertising.

COMMODITIES: Oil continued to fall, gold edged down and London copper prices eased.

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