Balfour, British Energy, DSG: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

By Andrew Shepherd and Sarah Thompson

Aug. 13 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes 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 declined 7.3 pence, or 0.13 percent, to 5,534.5. The FTSE All-Share Index fell 0.25 percent and Ireland's ISEQ Index dropped 2.54 percent.

U.K. companies:

Anglo American Plc (AAL LN): The world's fourth- biggest diversified mining company plans to invest $3.36 billion in two iron-ore mines in Brazil. The shares rose 2 pence, or 0.07 percent, to 2,679 pence.

Balfour Beatty Plc (BBY LN): Britain's biggest builder said first-half profit rose 77 percent as a U.S. acquisition boosted military housing orders and it won civil engineering and maintenance contracts in Dubai. The shares advanced 7 pence, or 1.7 percent, to 410.25 pence.

Benfield Plc (BFD LN): The worst performing U.K. insurance stock in the past month might be active after Execution Limited noted ``rumors of a bid from either Goldman's private equity or Aon Corp. have resurfaced.''

``Benfield have always staunchly maintained they wish to stay independent'' but ``given that results are likely to stagnate for the next 18 months, a premium bid could be attractive for shareholders who may pressure management,'' Execution wrote in an email to clients.

The shares added 2 pence, or 0.8 percent, to 257.25.

British Energy Group Plc (BGY LN): The U.K.'s biggest nuclear power producer reported a 65 percent drop in first- quarter profit on lower output. The shares rose 0.5 pence, or 0.1 percent, to 705 pence.

DSG International Plc (DSGI LN): The U.K.'s largest consumer-electronics retailer, was downgraded to ``underweight'' from ``neutral'' at JPMorgan Chase & Co., which said it believes investor hopes for asset sales are ``misplaced.'' The stock added 5 pence, or 8.4 percent, to 64.75.

Friends Provident Plc (FP/ LN): The 176-year-old British insurer was cut to ``underperform'' from ``neutral'' at Merrill Lynch & Co., which cited the ``stalling disposal program.'' The shares increased 0.5 pence, or 0.6 percent, to 92.2 pence.

Interserve Plc (IRV LN): The company that maintains the British Army's training grounds said first-half profit rose 19 percent on orders from industrial and commercial clients in the Middle East. The shares rose 6.75 pence, or 1.7 percent, to 414.25 pence.

Micro Focus International Plc (MCRO LN): The U.K. business software maker whose clients include Accenture Ltd. said revenue excluding acquisitions and profit margins for the first quarter met its forecasts. The shares advanced 2.75 pence, or 1 percent, to 268.5 pence.

Signet Group Plc (SIG LN): Investec Securities raised the world's largest jewelry-store owner to ``buy'' from ``hold'' and increased its share-price estimate to 83 pence.

``We believe the proposed transfer of the primary listing will be a catalyst to a re-rating,'' the brokerage wrote in a research note dated Aug. 12. The stock fell 0.75 pence, or 1.2 percent, to 63.75 pence.

Thomas Cook Group Plc (TCG LN): Europe's second- biggest travel company said third-quarter sales remained ``strong'' after consumers maintained spending on vacations, resisting a slowing economy. The shares rose 5.25 pence, or 2.2 percent, to 245 pence.

Irish companies:

Anglo Irish Bank Plc (ANGL ID): The third-biggest Irish lender by market value is scheduled to release earnings. The shares fell 81 cents, or 11.9 percent, to 6.02 euros.

Elan Corp Plc (ELN ID): Ireland's largest drugmaker declined to comment on a report that it received first- round bids for its medicine delivery unit. The shares rose 2 cents, or 0.3 percent, to 7.47 euros.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sarah Thompson in London at sthompson17@bloomberg.net.