Lloyds, National Express, Tesco: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

By Howard Mustoe

July 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 declined 44.82, or 1.04 percent, to 4,249.21. The FTSE All-Share Index fell 1 percent, and Ireland’s ISEQ Index declined 0.7 percent.

Aberdeen Asset Management Plc (ADN LN): Scotland’s largest independent money manager releases a trading update. Aberdeen declined 1.25 pence, or 1 percent, to 124 pence.

Anite Group Plc (AIE LN): The producer of license-plate recognition software for the U.K. police releases earnings. Anite rose 0.5 pence, or 1.4 percent, to 35.25 pence.

John Wood Group Plc (WG/ LN): The U.K.’s largest oilfield- services provider releases trading. John Wood Group rose 5.75 pence, or 2.2 percent, to 267 pence.

Lloyds Banking Group Plc (LLOY LN): The U.K. Government has asked former Citigroup Inc. Chairman Winfried Bischoff to be Britain’s biggest mortgage lender’s new chairman replacing Victor Blank, the Financial Times reported, citing people close to the matter. Lloyds fell 0.63 pence, or 0.9 percent, to 69.93 pence.

Marks & Spencer Group Plc (MKS LN): The U.K.’s biggest clothing retailer releases first-quarter earnings. Marks & Spencer fell 3.5 pence, or 1.1 percent, to 306 pence.

National Express Group Plc (NEX LN): The U.K. long-distance coach and train operator releases trading. Chief Executive Officer Richard Bowker is to resign, the British Broadcasting Corp. also reported, without saying where it got the information. National Express rose 6.75 pence, or 2.2 percent, to 309.5 pence.

Tesco Plc (TSCO LN): The U.K.’s largest retailer may bid for nationalized bank Northern Rock Plc as the U.K. government tries to sell it before the general election, the London-based Times reported, without citing anyone. Tesco declined 4.4 pence, or 1.2 percent, to 353.6 pence.

WSP Group Plc (WSH LN): The British engineering company that helped design New York’s Freedom Tower announces earnings. WSP fell 1.75 pence, or 0.8 percent, to 220 pence.

To contact the reporter on this story: Howard Mustoe in London at hmustoe@bloomberg.net.