UK Stocks-Factors to watch on December 19

Magnum Ice Cream NV

19/12/2025 05:00

Dec 19 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Friday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.35%.

* BEN & JERRY'S: Ben & Jerry's independent board said in a filing that its new corporate parent, the Magnum Ice Cream Company MICCT.AS, is forcing three more directors to complete training and other requirements or face removal.

* CONSUMER CONFIDENCE: British consumer confidence edged up in December to its joint-highest level this year, but morale remains subdued, according to a monthly survey.

* CAR PRODUCTION: British car production fell 1.7% in November to 63,126 units, industry data showed.

* OIL: Oil prices fell in early trading and were set to close lower for a second straight week. Meanwhile, Britain imposed sanctions on more Russian oil companies.

* METALS: Copper prices were poised to finish the week in opposite directions, as investors considered the potential for U.S. interest rate cuts next year and the impact of the artificial intelligence boom.

* GOLD: Gold fell on lower-than-expected U.S. inflation figures, reducing bullion's appeal as a hedge against inflation, while a firmer dollar also put pressure on prices.

* FTSE: London stocks rose on Thursday, lifted by the Bank of England's widely anticipated interest rate cut and a lower-than-expected reading of U.S. inflation.

* UK CORPORATE DIARY:

WH Smith
SMWH.L
FY Results

* 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))