LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index
is seen opening 22-31 points, or up to 0.7 percent higher on Tuesday, according
to financial bookmakers, extending gains made the previous session following
strong advances on Wall Street and in Asia.
However further progress will depend on the reaction to some major corporate
news, notably full-year numbers from Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) and Vodafone
(VOD.L), and on the latest UK inflation numbers, due at 0830 GMT.
The UK blue chip index closed 98.34 points higher on Monday at 4,446.45
bolstered by strength in banks and energy stocks, and a rally on Wall Street.
U.S. blue chips .DJI ended 2.9 percent higher on Tuesday, recovering after
sharp falls on Friday as better-than-expected results from the No. 2 U.S. home
improvement retailer, Lowe's Cos Inc (LOW.N), helped spark broad-based buying.
Hopes the recession is easing and consumer spending is stabilising also
lifted the mood in Asia with shares reaching their highest level in six months.
U.S. housing starts numbers will be released later on Tuesday.
* Wall Street gains as Lowe's lifts mood on economy [ID:nN18371919]
* Nikkei gains 2.8 pct, exporters strong on yen [ID:nLJ710669]
* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares hit 7-month highs, oil at $59 [nHKG329111]
* FOREX-Yen dips after fall on improved risk appetite [ID:nT235817]
* TREASURIES-Prices fall; economy hopes raise risk appetite [ID:nLJ6625]
* Oil pauses at $59 after six-month high settlement [ID:nLJ11499]
* PRECIOUS-Gold rises a day after retreat, US data eyed [ID:nSP108670]
* METALS-Shanghai copper up, but fundamental worries remain [ID:nSHA231480]
UK stocks to watch on Tuesday are:
BANKS
Britain has held talks with investors to gauge their interest in buying its
stakes in part-nationalised lenders, and could begin selling its holdings within
a year, according to a source familiar with the matter who was not authorized to
speak publicly. [nLI330969]
INSURERS
Top UK life assurers including Legal & General (LGEN.L), Prudential (PRU.L)
and Standard Life (SL.L) will be up to three years behind market peers in
adopting market consistent embedded value financial reporting standards when the
rules become mandatory in 2011, the Financial Times said.
HSBC (HSBA.L)
China's cabinet has given approval to HSBC and the Bank of East Asia
(0023.HK) to issue yuan bonds in Hong Kong, the official Financial News reported
on Tuesday.
BARCLAYS (BARC.L)
Bankrupt Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc (LEHMQ.PK) is seeking court permission
to look into whether it was adequately compensated by Barclays (BARC.L) for its
brokerage unit, according to court documents filed on Monday.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK.L)
The drug has agreed a 244 million pound strategic alliance with Oxford
BioTherapeutics which will see the pair discover, develop and commercialise
antibodies for cancer treatment, The Times said.
BT GROUP (BT.L)
The telecoms regulator Ofcom is expected to publish a consultation into the
funding of universal phone services, which includes the UK's network of pay
phone kiosks, The Times said.
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL (RDSa.L)
The oil giant faces renewed opposition to its investments in Canada's
carbon-intense oil sands, the Financial Times said. The company also holds its
AGM.
VODAFONE GROUP (VOD.L)
The mobile telecoms firm posts full-year results.
MARKS & SPENCER (MKS.L)
The retailer reports full-year results.
NEXT (NXT.L)
The retailer holds its annual general meeting.
TUI TRAVEL T.L
The tour operator delivers first-half results.
ICAP (IAP.L)
The inter-dealer broker reports full-year results.
CAIRN ENERGY (CNE.L)
The energy explorer will issue a trading update.
PREMIER OIL (PMO.L)
The energy explorer will issue a trading update
BURBERRY GROUP (BRBY.L)
The luxury goods firm posts full-year results.
SSL INTERNATIONAL (SSL.L)
The condoms to footwear firm reports full-year results.
GREAT PORTLAND ESTATES (GPOR.L)
The real estate investment trust reports full-year results.
HOMESERVE (HSV.L)
The emergency maintenance services posts full-year results.
DAIRY CREST (DCG.L)
The food producer delivers full-year results.
PARAGON GROUP OF COMPANIES (PARA.L)
The specialist lender posts first-half results.
VICTREX (VCTX.L)
The chemicals firm reports first-half results.
VECTURA GROUP (VEC.L)
The inhaled drug specialist posts full-year results.
RENOVO GROUP (RNVO.L)
The scarring specialist reports first-half results.
REGUS (RGU.L)
The serviced offices group holds its annual general meeting.
SPECTRIS (SXS.L)
The engineer will issue a trading update.
KELLER GROUP (KLR.L)
The engineer will issue a trading update.
SINCLAIR PHARMA (SPH.L)
The skincare specialist will issue a trading update.
VITEC GROUP (VTC.L)
The media products firm will issue a trading update.
COLLINS STEWART (CLST.L)
The broker hosts its annual general meeting.
EVOLUTION GROUP (EVG.L)
The broker holds its annual general meeting.
FERREXPO (FXPO.L)
The iron ore pellets producer holds its annual general meeting.
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]
> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]
(Reporting by Jon Hopkins)
