(Adds news items, futures)
Dec 8 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 13 points lower at
6,542 on Tuesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures down 0.5%
ahead of the cash market open.
* COVID-19: Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother, became the first
person in the world to receive the Pfizer PFE.N COVID-19 vaccine shot outside
of a trial as Britain began vaccinating its population. * FERGUSON: Plumbing and heating parts distributor Ferguson Plc FERG.L
said its first-quarter profit rose 12.2%, boosted by demand for home improvement
in the United States on higher new residential housing permits. * ASHTEAD: Rental equipment provider Ashtead AHT.L reported a 7% drop in
quarterly profit as demand weakened for the tools it provides to the
construction and industrial sectors in its biggest market, the United
States. * ENERGY REGULATOR: British energy regulator gave the go-ahead for up to 40
billion pounds ($53.4 billion) in energy system spending by the country's
network companies between 2021-2026. * GOLD: Gold prices hit a two-week high as investors remained hopeful of
further U.S. stimulus measures to counter the economic fallout of a surge in
coronavirus cases. * OIL: Oil prices fell adding to losses from the previous session that came
as California tightened its pandemic lockdown through Christmas and coronavirus
cases continued to surge in the United States and Europe. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.1% higher on Monday over fears
that Britain will stage a disorderly exit from the European Union, with banks
and real estate taking a sharp beating. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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