Barclays, Greggs, HSBC, Inchcape: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

By Kevin Crowley

March 10 (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 11.67 points, or 0.3 percent, to 3,542.40. The FTSE All-Share Index climbed 0.1 percent, and Ireland’s ISEQ Index dropped 1.7 percent.

Antofagasta Plc (ANTO LN): The owner of three Chilean copper mines is scheduled to report earnings. The share rose 0.5 pence, or 0.1 percent, to 502 pence.

Barclays Plc (BARC LN): The fifth-biggest U.K. bank will have its entire balance sheet examined by the government should it choose to use the U.K.’s asset-insurance plan, the Financial Times reported. Barclays fell 3.4 pence, or 5.3 percent, to 61.4 pence.

Computacenter Plc (CCC LN): The U.K. supplier of computer services to BT Group Plc and Norwich Union Plc is scheduled to report earnings. Computacenter climbed 9.25 pence, or 7.9 percent, to 126 pence.

F&C Asset Management Plc (FCAM LN): The investment arm of Friends Provident Plc is due to report earnings. The shares dropped 4.5 pence, or 6.8 percent, to 62 pence.

Fyffes Plc (FFY ID): The Irish banana distributor is expected to report earnings. Shares rose 1 cent, or 6 percent, to 18 cents.

G4S Plc (GFS LN): The world’s second-largest security company is scheduled to report earnings. The shares fell 2.1 pence, or 1.2 percent, to 176.5 pence.

Greggs Plc (GRG LN): The U.K.’s largest bakery chain is expected to report earnings. Greggs fell 53 pence, or 1.5 percent, to 3,600 pence.

HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA LN): Europe’s biggest bank had the long-term deposit and debt ratings of its HSBC USA, Inc. unit downgraded by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited pressures on the division’s capital position. HSBC fell 11.75 pence, or 3.3 percent, to 349 pence.

Inchcape Plc (INCH LN): The global operator of car dealerships is meeting with its investors as it prepares for a rights offering or placement, the Daily Telegraph reported, citing unidentified people close to the company. Inchcape gained 1.25 pence, or 3.4 percent, to 37.75 pence.

Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY LN): The U.K.’s biggest mortgage lender will have to explain the asset insurance deal it made with the government to the bank’s biggest shareholders, the Daily Telegraph reported, citing unidentified investors. Lloyds rose 1.7 pence, or 4.1 percent, to 43.7 pence.

Soco International Plc (SIA LN): The U.K. oil company operating in Africa and Asia is expected to report earnings. The stock declined 4 pence, or 0.3 percent, to 1,183 pence.

Tullet Prebon Plc (TLPR LN): The British inter-dealer broker is scheduled to report earnings. The shares rose 75 pence, or 0.6 percent, to 136.25 pence.

Weir Group Plc (WEIR LN): The world’s biggest maker of pumps for the mining industry is scheduled to report earnings. Weir dropped 1.75 pence, or 0.5 percent, to 340.75 pence.

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