Pub groups Punch Taverns and Mitchells & Butlers look likely to be promoted to the FTSE 100 when the next quarterly review takes place on 7 March , financial analysts have predicted.

Punch recently reported better-than-expected figures, but the main driver of share price growth was its announcement that it wants to turn itself into a property trust, said the Edinburgh Tracker Team at Aberdeen Asset Managers.

Turning itself into a real estate investment trust, could bring a £750m windfall for shareholders, the analysts said.

At current levels, M&B sits near the top the "new" FTSE 100 reserve list when published on 7 March and should gain entry as takeovers become effective through April, Aberdeen said.

Punch Taverns signs 300th lease agreement >>

Punch Taverns to report a rise in sales after acquisitions >>

Mitchells & Butlers sells group of community pubs for more than £100m >>

Food sales soar at Mitchells & Butlers’ Scottish pubs >>

By Daniel Thomas

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