March 17 (Bloomberg) -- The following stocks may rise or fall in U.K. and Irish markets today. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are from the last close.

The benchmark FTSE 100 climbed 28.1, or 0.5 percent, to 5993.2, the highest since March 8, 2001. The measure is approaching 6000, which it last reached in March of that year. The FTSE All- Share Index added 15.84, or 0.5 percent, to 3057.87.

Ireland's ISEQ Overall Index fell 35.46, or 0.5 percent, to 7922.36.

U.K. Companies:

Aga Foodservice Group Plc (AGA LN): The company whose country- style stoves have been used by TV chef Jamie Oliver is scheduled to report 2005 earnings. Business last year met Aga's forecasts, helped by a new range of electric ovens and deep-fat fryers for restaurants, the company said in a Jan. 16 statement. Shares of Solihull, England-based Aga rose 9 pence, or 2.5 percent, to 369 pence.

BAA Plc (BAA LN): The U.K. airports company may lack the necessary investment needed in the future if it is taken over as part of a highly-leveraged deal, the Financial Times said, citing Air France-KLM Vice Chairman Leo van Wijk. The shares added 13 pence, or 1.6 percent, to 839 pence.

Body Shop International Plc (BOS LN): L'Oreal SA, the world's largest cosmetics maker, may buy the U.K. retailer of natural beauty products for 652.3 million pounds ($1.15 billion), the Financial Times said. L'Oreal may pay 300 pence a share for Body Shop, the FT said, without saying where it got the information. Shares of Body Shop slid 5.25 pence, or 1.9 percent, to 268 pence.

Brit Insurance Holdings Plc (BRE LN): Shares of the Lloyd's of London insurer were upgraded to ``add'' from ``hold'' by Nicholas Johnson, an analyst at Numis Securities Ltd. The price target was raised to 115 pence per share from 110 pence. Shares of Brit Insurance slipped 0.5 pence, or 0.5 percent, to 96.25.

British Energy Group Plc (BGY LN): The company whose nuclear plants can produce a fifth of the U.K.'s electricity plans to stop one unit at its Dungeness nuclear plant for more than two months starting April 21.Shares of the East Kilbride, England-based company gained 3.25 pence, or 0.5 percent, to 649.25.

Corus Group Plc (CS/ LN): The U.K.-based steelmaker wants to team up with a company in a developing country to lower production costs, Handelsblatt said, citing an interview with Chief Executive Officer Philippe Varin. The shares jumped 9 pence, or 12 percent, to 85.25 pence.

Legal & General Group Plc (LGEN LN): The worst stock performer in the FTSE 350 Life Insurance Index in the past year may say second-half operating profit was 477 million pounds ($833 million), under European Embedded Value accounting rules, compared with 480 million pounds a year earlier, as it faced competition in more- lucrative segments. This median estimate is based on 11 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The stock added 1 pence, or 0.8 percent, to 134 pence.

To contact the reporter on this story: Aisha Phoenix in London at aphoenix@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 16, 2006 22:03 EST