UK Stocks-Factors to watch on February 16 (updated)
16/02/2026 07:43
Adds new items, updates futures Feb 16 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening up on Monday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.2%. * SKINBIOTHERAPEUTICS: British skin-health company SkinBioTherapeutics SBTX.L said it was investigating its former CEO and believes he misrepresented material financial information to the board and auditors. * BEAZLEY: UK speciality insurer Beazley BEZG.L said that Zurich Insurance ZURN.S now has until March 4 to either announce a firm offer to acquire the company or walk away. * PINEWOOD: Private equity firm Apax Partners withdrew its offer for British automotive service provider Pinewood Technologies PINE.L, citing prevailing challenging market conditions. * HIRING: More than one in three UK employers plan to cut their hiring of permanent staff due to costs introduced by the government's labour law reforms, a survey showed. * EMPLOYMENT: A sharp rise in Britain's minimum wage for younger workers over the past three years has contributed to an increase in unemployment for that age group, Bank of England policymaker Catherine Mann said in a newspaper interview. * HOME PRICES: Asking prices for British homes held steady in the four weeks to February 7 after a post-budget relief rally over the Christmas and New Year period, property website Rightmove said on Monday. * GOLD: Gold prices dropped on Monday, pressured by thin trading volumes as U.S. and China markets remained shut due to local public holidays, while some traders booked profits after last session's 2.5% jump. * METALS: London copper eased , while aluminium extended losses for a third straight session as thin trade, with China out for a holiday, weighed on prices. *OIL: Oil traded little changed on Monday, with investors weighing the market implications of upcoming U.S.-Iran talks aimed at de-escalating tensions against a backdrop of expected OPEC+ supply increases. * 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 in Bengaluru) ((tuhina@thomsonreuters.com))