Britain’s FTSE 100 index is seen opening up 8 points higher at 7,233 on Monday, according to financial bookmakers.
* GKN-MELROSE: GKN has struck a $6.1 billion deal to merge its automotive business with U.S. company Dana Incorporated in a move by the British engineer to fend off a hostile takeover by turnaround specialist Melrose
Industries.
* RECKITT BENCKISER: Reckitt Benckiser has no regrets about its $17 billion acquisition of Mead Johnson last year, its chief executive said, even though there are concerns it may now be too stretched to buy Pfizer’s PFE.N
coveted consumer health business.
* SAUDI ARAMCO IPO: British officials have been informed by their Saudi counterparts that oil giant Saudi Aramco’s IPO-ARMO.SE initial public offering is likely to be delayed until 2019, the Financial Times reported.
* GOLD: Gold prices were steady on Monday as the U.S. dollar inched lower, with the latest U.S. jobs report easing fears of inflation and faster U.S. rate hikes.
* OIL: Oil markets edged up on Monday on the back of a drop in the number of U.S. rigs drilling for more production and as the U.S. economy continued to create jobs, which industry hopes will drive higher fuel demand.
* The UK blue chip FTSE 100 index closed 0.3 percent higher at 7,224.51 points on Friday, joining in a broader equity rally following supportive U.S. jobs data which calmed investor nerves over tighter monetary policy.
