UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan 29

Adds new items, updates futures

Jan 29 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.12%.

* PENNON: British water utility Pennon Group PNN.L said it is launching a fully underwritten rights issue for about 490 million pounds ($610.1 million) to fund investments of 3.2 billion pounds in its water businesses.

* DOWLAIS: U.S. autoparts maker American Axle and Manufacturing AXL.N will buy GKN Automotive owner Dowlais DWL.L in a cash-and-stock deal, valuing the London-listed firm at about 1.16 billion pounds ($1.44 billion), the companies said on Wednesday.

* AJ BELL: British investment platform AJ Bell AJBA.L posted a 17% jump in its first-quarter managed assets, helped by a rise in customers and elevated pension contributions in the run-up to the October 2024 Budget.

* WH SMITH: British travel retailer WH Smith SMWH.L reported a 4% rise in its group revenue for the 21-week period ended Jan. 25, fuelled by higher footfall as more people travelled during the Christmas holiday season.

* PLAYTECH: British gambling technology firm Playtech PTEC.L said that Chairman Brian Mattingley will step down from the board but remain with the firm for a few months to ensure a handover to his successor.

* ANGLO AMERICAN: Miner Anglo American AAL.L said it had completed the sale of its 33.3% stake in Jellinbah Group to Zashvin for total cash proceeds reaching A$1.6 billion (nearly $1 billion).

* CMA: Britain's Competition and Markets Authority said it was weighing whether a merger of Spain's Iberdrola IBE.MC and NWEN Ltd could reduce competition in the energy sector.

* OIL: Oil prices slid on Wednesday.

* GOLD: Gold prices were little changed.

* METALS: London copper hit a three-week low.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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