UK Stocks-Factors to watch on January 30 (updated)
30/01/2026 07:43
Adds new items and updates futures Jan 30 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening flat on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.02%. * DRAX: Drax Group DRX.L said it has signed a 10-year tolling agreement for a 250‑megawatt battery energy storage system with Fidra Energy. * EXPERIAN: Experian EXPN.L announced the launch of a new $1 billion share repurchase programme. * ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca AZN.L will license experimental drugs for obesity and weight-related conditions from CSPC Pharmaceutical Group 1093.HK and collaborate on additional projects, paying $1.2 billion upfront and up to $17.3 billion more if development and sales milestones are met, the Chinese drugmaker said. * RIO TINTO: Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) 601600.SS and Rio Tinto RIO.AX, RIO.L agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio CBAV3.SA for 4.69 billion reais, the firms said. * BUSINESS CONFIDENCE: British business confidence weakened this month after executives' view of the global economic outlook declined to its darkest in a year, a survey by Lloyds showed. * OIL: Oil prices slipped over 1% from multi-month highs, though they are set for their most substantial gains in years, as the risk premium surged due to a potential U.S. attack on Iran that could disrupt supplies. * METALS: Copper eased, erasing gains it made in the speculative rush in the previous session as investors booked profits, but the metal still headed for a monthly gain. * GOLD: Gold slid over 4% on rumours the Federal Reserve could get a more hawkish chair, but was still on track for its strongest monthly gain since 1982 as investors flocked to the safe haven amid lingering geopolitical and economic strains. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/ TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times PRESS/FT > Other business headlines PRESS/GB (Compiled by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru) ((Neeshita.Beura@thomsonreuters.com))