Jan 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 44
points higher at 7,552 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers.
* JUST EAT: Britain's competition watchdog will probe Takeaway.com's
TKWY.AS buyout of Just Eat JE.L , possibly delaying completion of the
multi-billion dollar deal to create one of the world's largest meal delivery
companies. * COPPER: London copper edged higher on after the World Health Organization
(WHO) said a new coronavirus outbreak in top metals consumer China is not yet a
global emergency, but prices were set for their biggest weekly drop in 17
months. * GOLD: Gold edged lower after the World Health Organisation stopped short
of declaring the China virus outbreak a global emergency, though prices were
still on track to post a weekly gain. * OIL: Oil prices were steady, but on track for a fall of up to 5% for the
week on growing concern that fuel demand will weaken as the spread of a
respiratory virus from China that has killed 25 so far dents travel and darkens
the economic outlook. * UK shares lost roughly 1% on Thursday as worries over the spread of a new
flu-like virus from China forced dealers to dump risky assets, while financial
stocks tumbled across the board after the European Central Bank kept interest
rates at a record low level. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Marston's MARS.L Trading Update
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB