London pre-open: Stocks seen down; Burberry, Compass results in focus
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Wednesday 14 May 2025
(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to fall at the open on Wednesday following a mixed session on Wall Street, as investors braced for a deluge of earnings from the likes of Burberry, Compass and Imperial Brands.
The FTSE 100 was called to open around 20 points lower.
In corporate news, luxury brand Burberry swung to a full-year loss amid a slump in sales and warned that the macroeconomic environment had become more uncertain as US President Donald Trump launched his global tariff war.
The company posted a £66m pre-tax loss for the year to 29 March compared to a profit of £418m a year ago. Sales fell 17% to £2.46bn.
GSK said it has entered into an agreement with Boston Pharmaceuticals to acquire its lead asset for up to $2bn, buying a specialty medicine to treat and prevent progression of steatotic liver disease.
The deal will expand the British pharma firm's hepatology pipeline aimed at addressing steatotic and viral drivers of liver disease, offering multiple development options with the potential first launch in 2029.
Under the terms of the deal, GSK pay Boston $1.2bn upfront, with the potential for additional success-based milestone payments totalling $800m.
Imperial Brands reported market share gains in its five priority markets in its half-year report, and achieved strong tobacco pricing that offset volume declines in the six months ended 31 March.
Revenue was down 3.1% at £14.6bn and adjusted operating profit rose 1.8% to £1.65bn, while adjusted earnings per share increased 6% to 123.9p amid a £1.25bn share buyback and an increased interim dividend. It said it generated £2.4bn in free cash flow, and remained on track to meet full-year guidance.
Email this article to a friend
or share it with one of these popular networks:
You are here: news
10 Lower Thames St,
London EC3R 6EN