Irish Equity Preview

The following stocks may rise or fall in U.K. and Irish markets today. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are from the last market close.

The benchmark FTSE 100 Index added 39.20, or 0.6 percent, to close at 6624.40 in London. The FTSE All-Share Index increased 15.07, or 0.4 percent, to 3422.86.

Ireland's ISEQ Index lost 12.53, or 0.1 percent, to close at 9014.78.

U.K. Companies:

BP Plc (BP/ LN): Oil refinery shutdowns may have hurt BP's second-quarter earnings, which likely fell 17 percent to $5.06 billion, based on the average of 15 estimates compiled by Bloomberg. BP shares gained 2 pence, or 0.3 percent, to 601.5.

Capita Group Plc (CPI LN): The operator of London's traffic congestion charge will probably say first-half profit rose 15 percent to 70.5 million pounds ($145 million), according to the median estimate of three analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News. The shares increased 5 pence, or 0.7 percent, to 770.

Misys Plc (MSY LN): The U.K. provider of software for banks and hospitals is due to report earnings. The shares added 5.5 pence, or 2.3 percent, to 241.

J Sainsbury Plc (SBRY LN): The Sainsbury family, owner of about 18 percent of the U.K. supermarket, won't support the 10.4 billion-pound ($21.4 billion) buyout bid from Delta (Two) Ltd., the London-based Times reported, citing an unidentified person close to the situation. The shares increased 3 pence, or 0.5 percent, to 594.

Sports Direct International Plc (SPD LN): The U.K.'s biggest sporting-goods retailer may say profit before tax and one-time costs rose to 140.5 million pounds ($289 million) from 100.5 million pounds a year earlier, according to the average of six estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Sports Direct shares advanced 2 pence, or 1.1 percent, to 190.

Vodafone Group Plc (VOD LN): Vodafone is likely to rebut a shareholder proposal recommending the company spin off its 45 percent stake in Verizon Wireless, the Financial Times reported.

Vodafone's efforts to defeat the resolution from Efficient Capital Structures are likely to prove successful at the company's annual meeting, according to ECS Chairman Glenn Cooper, the newspaper said. The shares fell 0.2 pence to close at 160.6.

Yell Group Plc (YELL LN): The publisher of the U.K.'s Yellow Pages phone books is due to report earnings. The shares advanced 7.75 pence, or 1.7 percent, to 469.25.

source:bloomberg.com