UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan 25

(Adds futures, news items)
Jan 25 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 13
points higher at 6,708 on Monday, according to financial bookmakers, with
futures .FFIc1 up 0.41% ahead of cash market open.

* STHREE: Recruiter SThree Plc STEMS.L said its annual profit nearly
halved, but the company still managed to beat market expectations and resumed
dividend as a recovery in the United States offset a hit from the COVID-19
pandemic. * BOOHOO: Boohoo BOOH.L said it had purchased the brand of collapsed
department store group Debenhams for 55 million pounds ($75.4
million). * ASOS: ASOS ASOS.L said it was in exclusive talks to buy the Topshop,
Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands from the administrators of Arcadia
Group. * TP ICAP: TP ICAP TCAPI.L said it could not serve some clients in the
European Union for the time being because COVID-19 had delayed completion of its
new Brexit hub in Paris. * ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca Plc AZN.L has informed European Union officials
on Friday it would cut deliveries of its COVID-19 vaccine to the bloc by 60% to
31 million doses in the first quarter of the year due to production problems, a
senior official told Reuters. * COVID-19: The British government is reviewing the level of ongoing support
it gives to those relying on welfare during the pandemic, the work and pensions
minister said, when asked whether a boost to Universal Credit would be
extended. * GOLD: Gold prices inched lower due to concerns that a massive economic
stimulus in the United States may not be passed smoothly. * OIL: Oil prices slipped for a second straight session as renewed COVID-19
lockdowns raised fresh concerns about global fuel demand. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.3% lower on Friday as data showed
UK business activity declined sharply in Jan due to severe curbs imposed to stem
coronavirus infections. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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