UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan 4

(Adds futures, news items)
Jan 4 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 38 points
higher at 6,499 on Monday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures
FFIc1 up 1% ahead of cash market open.

* FERGUSON: Plumbing parts distributor Ferguson Plc FERG.L said it has
agreed to sell its UK-focused business to private investment firm Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice for about 308 million pounds ($421.65 million).
* ENTAIN: Ladbrokes owner Entain Plc ENT.L said an $11 billion bid
proposal from U.S. casino operator MGM Resorts significantly undervalued its
business in the latest transatlantic move in a fast consolidating
sector. * ASTRAZENECA: India's drugs regulator on Sunday approved for emergency use
two coronavirus vaccines, one developed by AstraZeneca AZN.L and Oxford
University and the other by local company Bharat Biotech and a state-run
institute. South Korea is also reviewing AstraZeneca's AZN.L request for
approval of its vaccine. * COVID-19: The number of COVID-19 infections is rising fast in some parts
of Britain and the government is not ruling out any further measure to try and
curb the spread, including a national lockdown, Health Secretary Matt Hancock
said. * GOLD: Gold prices started the new year on a high by notching an eight-week
peak as spiking COVID-19 cases and prospects of tougher restrictions boosted the
safe-haven metal's appeal. * OIL: Oil prices touched multi-month highs on expectations that OPEC and
allied producers may cap output at current levels in February as the coronavirus
pandemic keeps worries about first-half demand elevated. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE fell 1.5% on Thursday with trading session
lower and clocked its worst year since the 2008 financial crisis as the United
Kingdom widened restrictions to stem a new variant of the coronavirus raging
across the country. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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