RCG, Taylor Wimpey, WPP, Kenmare: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

By Jonathan Browning and Sarah Thompson

Sept. 1 (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 advanced 35.4, or 0.6 percent, to 5,636.60. The FTSE All-Share Index rose 0.7 percent, and Ireland's ISEQ Index was virtually unchanged at 4494.92.

U.K. companies:

Associated British Foods Plc (ABF LN): The owner of British Sugar is negotiating the purchase of Spanish sugar producer Azucarera Ebro, the Mail on Sunday reported, without saying where it got the information. The shares added 2 pence, or 0.3 percent, to 806.5.

Bodycote Plc (BOY LN): The U.K. supplier of metal- strengthening services was downgraded to ``underperform'' from ``neutral'' at Merrill Lynch & Co. because of worries about slowing earnings growth. The shares added 8.75 pence, or 3.9 percent, to 232.75.

Bradford & Bingley Plc (BB/ LN): The biggest lender to U.K. landlords was rated ``sell' in resumed coverage at Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc.

``Growing the customer deposit base and issuing medium- term notes without encumbering too much of the balance sheet will be the key priorities'' for the bank in the second half of 2008, analysts wrote in a note to investors.

Analysts said earnings per share will likely be negative in 2009 and 2010 and set a price target for the shares at 40 pence. The stock slid 1.25 pence, or 2.5 percent, to 49 pence.

Headlam Group Plc (HEAD LN): The U.K. distributor of floor coverings founded in 1992 said first-half profit rose 3.9 percent as sales to businesses increased. The shares rose 11.5 pence, or 3.6 percent, to 333.5 pence.

Informa Plc (INF LN): The U.K publisher that is in talks about a takeover by private-equity companies was added to the ``most preferred'' list in UBS AG's ``short-term alpha preferences portfolio.''

``Reports in Euroweek suggest that the Providence private equity consortium looking to acquire Informa have their financing in place,'' UBS said. ``We see the risk reward on Informa as attractive given the increasing likelihood a deal will go through.''

The stock lost 2.5 pence, or 0.6 percent, to 425.75.

RCG Holdings Ltd. (RCG LN): The Hong Kong-based maker of the i-Series fingerprint-recognition products said first-half profit rose 77 percent as it added customers and security products. The shares fell 1.25 pence, or 2 percent, to 62 pence.

Taylor Wimpey Plc (TW/ LN): The U.K.'s largest homebuilder will this week launch a campaign among institutional investors to broaden its shareholder base in order to raise capital, the Sunday Telegraph reported, without saying where it got the information. The stock rose 1 penny, or 1.9 percent, to 54.25 pence.

Weir Group Plc (WEIR LN): The world's biggest maker of pumps for the mining industry sold its Weir Process Equipment Canada unit to Wajax Income Fund for C$25.4 million to focus on oil and gas clients. The stock added 1 pence, or 0.1 percent, to 924.5.

WPP Group Plc (WPP LN): The world's second-biggest advertising company extended the deadline of its unsolicited takeover offer for Taylor Nelson Sofres Plc. The shares rose 15 pence, or 2.9 percent, to 537.5 pence.

Xstrata Plc (XTA LN): The world's fourth-largest copper producer aims to finish a feasibility study for the expansion of one of its Peruvian copper mines next year, Peru country manager Jose Marun said. The stock advanced 20 pence, or 0.7 percent, to 3066 pence.

Irish companies:

Kenmare Resources Plc (KMR ID): The producer of titanium in Mozambique said it raised $30 million in a share sale to help increase output. The shares rose 1.8 cents, or 4.3 percent, to 43.8 cents.

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