UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Feb 5 (updated)
05/02/2025 07:42
(Adds new items, updates futures)
Feb 5 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is
seen opening lower on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 down
0.27%.
* GSK: GSK GSK.L forecast sales in 2025 to grow 3%-5% and
reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, as
strength in its HIV and oncology portfolio offset weakness in
its vaccines division.
* SSE: British network operator SSE SSE.L forecast
annual adjusted earnings of 154-163 pence per share compared
with IBES analysts' estimates of 163.1 pence, amid a push
towards de-carbonisation and renewable power generation.
* ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca AZN.L investors will look
past another strong set of quarterly results on Thursday to
focus on the main issue overhanging shares: an investigation of
a top executive by authorities in China, one of its key markets.
* OFCOM ON ONLYFANS: Ofcom, Britain's media regulator,
on Tuesday
closed
its investigation into whether people under the age of 18
are accessing OnlyFans, but said it will continue to probe
whether the adults-only website failed to provide complete and
accurate information when requested.
* SMMT DATA: New car registrations in the UK dropped in
January, preliminary industry data showed, due to slower demand
from both fleet and private buyers.
* DE LA RUE: De La Rue DLAR.L said on Tuesday it had
commenced a formal sale process after it received preliminary
takeover approaches from parties other than a consortium of
British financier Edi Truell's companies.
* OIL: Oil prices slid on rising stockpiles in the U.S. and
market worries about a new Sino-U.S. trade war.
* GOLD: Gold prices hit a record high, bolstered by fears of
a new trade war between the United States and China.
* METALS: Shanghai copper prices eased on Wednesday.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please
click on: LIVE/
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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(Reporting by Reporting by Raechel Thankam Job and
DhanushVignesh Babu)
((RaechelThankam.Job@thomsonreuters.com;))