(Adds news items, updates futures)
March 20 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.06%.
- LLOYDS: Lloyds Bank LLOY.L will become the main "card aquiring partner" for British payments company PayPoint Group, as part of an expanded partnership expected to launch fully in the third quarter of the year, PayPoint said.
- INFLATION: British inflation cooled in February by slightly more than economists and the Bank of England expected, according to data.
- JOHNSON MATTHEY: Britain's Johnson Matthey JMAT.L said it will sell its medical device components business to Montagu Private Equity for $700 million in cash.
- FCA: Britain's Financial Conduct Authority has written to financial advisors to demand reviews on how they provide retirement income advice.
- PRUDENTIAL: Prudential PRU.L , 2378.HK reported an 8% rise in its annual operating profit, as upbeat policy sales across its key markets in Asia and Africa propelled the insurer's revenue growth.
- RIO TINTO: Global miner Rio Tinto (RIO) RIO.L will invest $350 million at its Rincon lithium plant in Argentina as it works to begin production by the end of the year, the company said this week.
- SAINSBURY: Britain's advertising regulator has upheld a complaint from supermarket group Sainsbury's SBRY.L that German-owned discounter Aldi's ad comparing the prices of their Christmas dinners was misleading.
- TOBACCO: The British government will introduce a bill in parliament on Wednesday to fulfill its promise to phase out smoking among young people by banning tobacco sales for future generations.
- PAY: British employers lowered their forecasts for the pay awards they will make in 2024, a survey showed.
- OIL: Oil retreats from multi-month highs, strong dollar dents demand.
- For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines
