Rio Tinto, Prudential, Hochschild: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

By Kevin Crowley and Sarah Thompson

Oct. 24 (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 rose 46.94 points, or 1.2 percent, to 4,087.83. The FTSE All-Share Index climbed 0.8 percent, and Ireland's ISEQ Index dropped 0.6 percent.

U.K. companies:

Antofagasta Plc (ANTO LN): The U.K.-based miner said it will begin operating a $600 million dam next month to contain wastewater at a Chilean copper mine, following the settlement of a legal dispute over use of the land. Shares declined 14.5 pence, or 5 percent, to 274 pence.

BG Group Plc (BG/ LN): The U.K.'s third-largest oil and natural-gas producer plans a bid to take over Queensland Gas Co. after buying AGL Energy Ltd.'s shares in the company, the Australian reported, without citing anyone. The stock added 9.5 pence, or 1.2 percent, to 774.

Just Retirement Plc (JR/ LN): The U.K. life insurer for retired workers said first-quarter new business fell 3.8 percent on a ``temporary'' slowdown in home-equity loans. The stock decreased 2.75 pence, or 6.4 percent, to 40 pence.

Henderson Group Plc (HGI LN): The U.K. money manager that plans to move its tax residence to Ireland had its recommendation cut to ``underweight'' from ``equal-weight'' at Morgan Stanley.

The downgrade ahead of third-quarter earnings reflects ``risks to retail assets driving negative margin mix shift, and limited cost flex to offset further earnings risk from seed capital losses, shortfall on performance fees, and blockbuster fund reversal,'' analysts including Bruce Hamilton, and Hubert Lam wrote in a research note today.

The stock slid 5.75 pence, or 9 percent, to 58.5.

Hochschild Mining Plc (HOC LN): Peru's second-largest silver miner will reduce investment in its mines next year as silver prices decline, Gestion reported in its online edition. Shares slumped 0.5 pence, or 0.4 percent, to 112.75 pence.

National Express Group Plc (NEX LN): The U.K. long- distance coach operator said trading is on track for a strong year. The share fell 37.5 pence, or 5.8 percent, to 610 pence.

Prudential Plc (PRU LN): The U.K.'s second-largest insurer is looking to buy parts of American International Group Inc. beyond the U.S. company's Asian operations, the Financial Times reported, citing an interview with Chief Executive Officer Mark Tucker. The London-based company fell 3 pence, or 0.9 percent, to 330 pence.

Rio Tinto Plc (RIO LN): The world's third-largest mining company said it won't commit to a planned $3.5 billion potash mine in Argentina until the government provides guarantees on energy supplies and taxes. Shares sank 149 pence, or 6.2 percent, to 2,240 pence.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kevin Crowley in London kcrowley1@bloomberg.netSarah Thompson in London at sthompson17@bloomberg.net.