Oct 16 (Reuters) - Britain's futures were down 0.42% ahead of cash markets open.
*HSBC: HSBC Holdings HSBA.L hired investment bank Lazard Ltd LAZ.N to sell its French retail business, a source close to the matter told Reuters, as part of a plan by new interim chief executive Noel Quinn to reduce costs across the banking group. OF ENGLAND: The Bank of England will probably need to cut interest rates if Brexit is postponed again, rate-setter Gertjan Vlieghe said on Tuesday, adding to the debate at the central bank about the right response to another delay. COOK: The former chief executive of bankrupt travel firm Thomas Cook said on Tuesday he understood public anger over his pay but defended his record, saying he had worked tirelessly to try to save the company. TINTO: Global miner Rio Tinto RIO.AX RIO.L said on Wednesday its third-quarter iron ore shipments rose 5%, helped by higher demand from Chinese steelmakers. MAIL: Britain's Royal Mail RMG.L staff want to go on a nationwide strike, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) said on Tuesday, after it alleged that the company failed to adhere to a pension deal signed last year. The chief executive of Next NXT.L has sold more than 10 million pounds ($12.7 million) worth of shares in the British clothing retailer to finance an investment in a private venture outside the retail industry, the company said on Tuesday. DUTCH SHELL: Flaring at Royal Dutch Shell Plc's RDSa.L chemical plant in Norco, Louisiana was due to a malfunction on OL-5 Olefins cracker, sources familiar with plant operations said. Gold prices edged higher on Wednesday after shedding nearly 1% in the previous session, as it remained unclear if Britain could avoid postponing its departure from the EU beyond Oct. 31. Oil prices rose on Wednesday, tracking gains in equities, as investors pinned hopes on a potential Brexit deal between Britain and the European Union and on signals from OPEC and its allies that further supply curbs could be possible. The FTSE 250 .FTMC of UK mid-cap stocks closed up 1.3% after Bloomberg said British and EU negotiators were closing in on a draft Brexit deal. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Rio Tinto PLC
Q3 2019 Operations Review SEGRO PLC
Q3 2019 Trading Statement
Release ASOS PLC
Full Year 2019 Earnings
Release Tristel PLC
Full Year 2019 Earnings
Release Tullow Oil
Trading Update Mediclinic International PLC MDCM.L
Q2 2020 Trading Statement
Release Barratt Developments PLC
Trading Statement Release
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