UK Stocks-Factors to watch on October 23 (updated)

Johnson & Johnson

Today 07:48

Adds new items, updates futures
Oct 23 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.2%. 
* SMITH & NEPHEW: A deal to combine Johnson & Johnson’s JNJ.N orthopaedics business with Smith & Nephew SN.L to create a $34 billion transatlantic medical technology company unravelled after the London-listed group refused to agree to its former CEO leading the merged business, the Financial Times reported.
* ROLLS-ROYCE: Rolls-Royce RR.L is nearing a deal for British government subsidies of up to £200 million to help fund the development of a new engine for short-haul aircraft, the Financial Times reported.
* BUDGET: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his government would help businesses save almost £800 million a year by cutting back on paperwork and extending the suspension of some trade tariffs.
* RETAIL: British retail sales fell by a larger-than-expected 0.4% in September, official figures showed.
* GAS: Britain should have enough gas and electricity to meet peak demand this winter despite higher energy prices driven by conflict in the Middle East, the country's gas and power system operators said.  
* CONSUMER: British consumer confidence has suffered its sharpest month-on-month fall since early in the COVID-19 pandemic as economic worries deepen, according to survey. 
* FINANCIAL REGULATORS: Britain's financial regulators proposed further easing of rules on vetting employees at finance firms.
* BANKING WATCHDOG: Britain's banking watchdog will review how financial regulation affects investment, capital and economic growth, signalling a sharper focus on transparency and an objective to promote competition.
* COMMODITIES: Oil prices rose, gold eased, and nickel pulled back. 
 
* 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 Tuhina and Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru)
 ((tuhina@thomsonreuters.com))