UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Dec 21

(Adds company news items)
Dec 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 futures index FFIc1 was down 1.49%
ahead of the cash market open on Monday.

* ROYAL DUTCH SHELL: Royal Dutch Shell RDSa.L said it will write down $3.5
to $4.5 billion in the value of oil and gas assets in 2021, the latest in a
string of impairments this year as it adjusts to a weaker outlook. * VODAFONE: Vodafone VOD.L has ended talks with Saudi Telecom Company
7010.SE on the sale of its 55% shareholding in Vodafone Egypt, the British
telecoms group said. * FRASERS: Mike Ashley's Frasers Group FRAS.L withdrew its 2021 forecast
after the sportswear retailer was forced to shut all its stores in London, South
East and East of England as a fast-spreading new strain of the coronavirus
called for tougher curbs. * ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca AZN.L said the U.S. medicines regulator had
approved the British drugmaker's lung cancer therapy, Tagrisso, to treat another
type of tumour in the lungs when diagnosed at an early stage. * BOOHOO: British online fashion retailer Boohoo Group Plc BOOH.L said its
board had approved appointing PKF Littlejohn as the group's auditor with
immediate effect, replacing PwC which had been in the role for around seven
years. * GOLD: Gold climbed to a six-week high, driven by news that U.S.
congressional leaders reached agreement on a COVID-19 aid package, while
lockdowns in the United Kingdom soured appetite for riskier assets and added to
the metal's support. * OIL: Oil prices dropped about 3% as a fast-spreading new coronavirus
strain that has shut down much of the United Kingdom fuelled worries over a
slower recovery in fuel demand amid tighter restrictions in Europe. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.3% lower on Friday as U.S. stocks
dipped on a cooling fiscal stimulus-led rally GBP/ . The domestically focused
FTSE 250 .FTMC , considered a barometer for Brexit sentiment, dropped about
0.9%, but finished the last full week of the year up 2.5%. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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