UK Stocks-Factors to watch on December 19 (updated)
19/12/2025 07:59
Adds new items, updates futures Dec 19 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Friday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.3%. * SSE: SSEN Transmission, majority owned by SSE Plc SSE.L, has secured a 1 billion pound 12-year bank facility for grid upgrades in Scotland, it said. * WH SMITH: Britain's WH Smith SMWH.L forecast profit next year to stay almost at the same levels as 2025, as it reviews some of its North American businesses after accounting failures at its U.S. operations exposed gaps in its financial controls. The UK's financial regulator has also opened an investigation into the company. * 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 ticked down and were set to close lower for a second straight week. Meanwhile, Britain imposed sanctions on more Russian oil companies. * METALS: Copper prices r ose as investors considered the potential for U.S. interest rate cuts next year following slower United States consumer inflation, while the impact of a possible artificial intelligence b ubble moderated gains . * GOLD: Gold e ased a s lower-than-expected U.S. inflation p rint reduce d bullion's appeal as a hedge against p rice rises , while a firmer dollar a lso weighed . * 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))