UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan. 6

(Adds futures, news items)
Jan 6 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 3 points
higher at 6,615 on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures
FFIc1 up 1.03% ahead of cash market open.

* INFORMA: Events group Informa INF.L forecast a more than 70% plunge in
2020 profit as the industry was ravaged by coronavirus-driven restrictions and
halts in physical exhibitions worldwide. * GREGGS: British baker and fast food retailer Greggs GRG.L said it had
slowed the rate of sales decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on
customer numbers. * TOPPS TILES PLC: Britain's Topps Tiles Plc TPT.L warned that the new
lockdown in England, which has shut the tile retailer's stores for browsing, is
expected to hit sales and margins. * LOOKERS PLC: Auto retailer Lookers Plc LOOK.L named retail veteran Anna
Bielby as the company's finance chief on an interim basis, filing in the role
that has been vacant since Mark Raban was promoted to chief executive officer.
* PAPERCHASE: British stationery chain Paperchase on Tuesday filed a notice
to appoint administrators from PwC as its sales were hurt by store closures due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, joining a list of UK retailers pushed over the edge by
the crisis. * AUTOS: Britain's car industry warned the Brexit trade deal will add
additional costs to firms, despite the sector securing tariff-free trade with
the European Union, just as it needs to pick up investment in electric vehicles.
* TRAVEL: Airlines flying into the UK will be required to bar passengers
from boarding if they do not have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of
departure, the Telegraph reported late on Tuesday. * ECONOMY: Many British businesses struggled during four weeks of lockdown
in November, according to a major survey which bodes poorly for the economy as
new restrictions to tackle a fresh surge in COVID cases kick in. * INFLATION: British shop prices dropped sharply in early December as
non-food stores offered big discounts in the run-up to the Christmas trading
period, a survey showed. * GOLD: Gold edged lower as the dollar firmed with investors tracking two
closely contested U.S. Senate runoff races in Georgia that will likely determine
President-elect Joe Biden administration's fiscal policy. * OIL: Oil prices rose to their highest since February 2020 after Saudi
Arabia agreed to reduce output more than expected in a meeting with allied
producers, while industry figures showed U.S. crude stockpiles were down last
week. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.6% higher on Tuesday as fresh
stimulus measures overshadowed risks arising from a new national lockdown
imposed to curb the spread of a new coronavirus variant, while energy stocks
jumped on higher oil prices. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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