* Deutsche Bank: Deutsche Bank said it would buy
Numis Corp , a London-based institutional stockbroker and
corporate advisor, for about 410 million pounds ($511.43
million) as the German firm deepens links with the UK corporate
client segment.
* NatWest: NatWest posted better than expected
profit for the first three months of 2023, demonstrating
resilience despite unease about Britain's economic outlook amid
persistent inflation.
* Pearson: British education group Pearson said it
was on track to meet annual guidance after a strong start to the
year, and said it would also deliver 120 million pounds ($150
million) of cost efficiencies this year.
*ECONOMY: British businesses were their most optimistic in
nearly a year in April, boosted by growing hopes about the
economy, according to a Lloyds Bank survey.
* CAR PRODUCTION: British car production rose for a second
consecutive month, climbing 6.1% year-on-year in March.
* OIL: Oil prices posted mild gains, but headed for a second
week of declines as disappointing U.S. economic data and
uncertainty over further interest rate hikes weighed on the
demand outlook.
* GOLD: Gold prices were
poised for a second monthly gain as lingering economic concerns and an overall weakness in the dollar drove investors to the safe-haven asset, with markets now focused on the U.S. Federal Reserve's meeting due next month.
* METALS: Prices of copper, viewed as a gauge of
economic health, were headed for their
biggest monthly loss since June 2022, dragged by global economic headwinds and weak demand from top consumer China.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please
click on: TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times > Other business headlines ($1 = 0.8017 pounds)
(Reporting by Sinchita Mitra and Anchal Rana in Bengaluru)
