UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 26

March 26 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.31%.

INFLATION: British inflation slowed by more than expected in February.

STERLING: Sterling weakened slightly after data showed British inflation slowed slightly below market expectations.

BP: Proxy advisor Institutional Shareholder Services recommends that shareholders vote in favour of the re-election of BP's BP.L board and management, according to a document seen by Reuters.

BABCOCK: British defence group Babcock BAB.L said it has secured a contract extension worth around 1 billion pounds ($1.29 billion) with the UK Ministry of Defence.

VISTRY: British homebuilder Vistry VTYV.L posted a 35% slump in 2024 profit, after a year of delayed partner agreements, abandoned projects, cost overruns and slower open-market completions.

EVOKE: British betting and gaming firm Evoke EVOK.L said it expects its first-quarter revenue to grow in low-single-digit percentage.

ITHACA: North Sea oil and gas company Ithaca Energy ITH.L forecast higher 2025 production, encouraged by the recent acquisition of the UK assets of Eni ENI.MI.

BUDGET: Rachel Reeves is likely to announce cuts to her spending plans.

GILTS: British long-dated government bond yields rose again, nearing 25-year highs hit in January.

GREENCORE: Greencore GNC.L has increased its bid for rival Bakkavor Group BAKK.L, Bloomberg News reported.

BARCLAYS: Barclays BARC.L has named Scott Schulte the global co-head of its investment grade syndicate, an internal memo showed.

SHELL: Shell SHEL.L CEO Wael Sawan said he expects to have updates from the arbitration process with Venture Global VG.N in the coming months.

COMMODITIES: Oil prices edged higher and gold held steady, while copper prices in London fell on Wednesday.

For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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($1 = 0.7748 pounds)