UK Stocks-Factors to watch on October 17 (updated)

Asos

17/10/2025 07:55

Adds new items, updates futures

Oct 17 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Friday, with futuresFFIc1 down 1.21%.

* PETROFAC: Oilfield services provider Petrofac PFC.L  said its ongoing restructuring will leave existing shareholders with no residual value, as it moves to complete the process by the end of November.

* SIG: SIG  SHI.L said demand in the European construction market remained muted in the third quarter, with no signs of recovery, as the building materials supplier posted flat like-for-like sales for the period.

* PEARSON: Pearson PSON.L said its underlying sales growth accelerated to 4% in the third quarter, driven by increased demand for its virtual learning products, where enrolments rose 13% for the 2025/26 academic year.

* MAN GROUP: Man Group EMG.L posted a 22% rise in assets under management to a record $213.9 billion in the 12 months to September 30, over a year of intense market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty.

* ASOS: British fast-fashion retailer ASOS ASOS.L said it is in talks with the German customs authority relating to a legal dispute over import duty underpayments.

* GSK: The UK's drugs cost-effectiveness watchdog has given a positive recommendation for ViiV Healthcare's HIV drug, enabling access to the preventive medicine via the state health system in England and Wales, the GSK GSK.L unit.

* SMITHS GROUP: Smiths Group SMIN.L said  it will sell its interconnect unit to U.S. electronic components maker Molex Electronic in a deal valued at 1.3 billion pounds ($1.75 billion).

* COMMODITIES: Oil prices edged lower in early trade, gold notched a new high as poised for its best week in over 17 years, and Shanghai copper dropped as risks from trade tensions remained a focus for investors.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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 (Compiled by Ankita Bora and Simone Lobo in Bengaluru)

 ((Ankita.Bora@thomsonreuters.com))