London pre-open: Stocks seen up on positive US cues

(Sharecast News) - London stocks were set to gain at the open on Friday following a positive close on Wall Street, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new highs. The FTSE 100 was called to open around 30 points higher.

Following a raft of better-than-expected data, the S&P 500 rose 0.5% to a new peak of 6,297.36, while the Nasdaq jumped 0.8% to 20,885.65, with both surpassing previous record closes set on 10 July.

The Dow rose 0.5% to 44,484.49, closing in on the 45,000-point mark reached last December when it reached its own all-time high.

In UK corporate news, consumer products giant Reckitt Benckiser said it is selling off a controlling share in its Essential Home division to private equity firm Advent International in a deal that values the portfolio at $4.8bn.

The transaction, which will see Reckitt retain a 30% equity stake in business, will see the company return $2.2bn to shareholders via a special dividend along with a share consolidation upon completion.

Essential Home operates across the air care, surface, pest and laundry segments, known for brands like Air Wick, Calgon and Cillit Bang.

Industrial parts maker Senior said it was selling its aerostructures business to Sullivan Street Partners, a UK-based private equity investor, for a total enterprise value of up to £200m.

The proceeds will be used to reduce net debt and fund a £40m share buyback programme, Senior said in a statement.

Luxury fashion house Burberry said that retail revenues fell by 6% to £433.0m in the three months ended 28 June as the external environment remained "challenging".

Comparable store sales were up in its Europe, Middle East, India & Africa and Americas segments, but were down in both Greater China and Asia-Pacific.