UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Nov 24

(Adds futures, news items)
Nov 24 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 37 points higher
at 6,371 on Tuesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures FFIc1 up
0.4% ahead of the cash market open.

* PHOENIX GROUP: Insurer Phoenix Group PHNX.L is assessing a range of
strategic options for its European businesses after recent expressions of
interest from third parties, it said. * COMPASS: Compass Group CPG.L reported a 75.5% slump in annual pretax
profit, as the coronavirus crisis slashed the number of school pupils and office
workers eating at its canteens and dinner halls over the past months.
* AO WORLD: British online electricals retailer AO World AO.L reported a
53.2% jump in first half revenue and swung into profit as consumers purchased
more domestic appliances to help get them through the COVID-19 pandemic.
* IQE: British technology firm IQE IQE.L said on Tuesday its founder and
chief executive officer, Drew Nelson, plans to step down from the company.
* CRANSWICK: Meat processor Cranswick Plc CWK.L reported a higher
first-half profit on "robust" demand across all of its categories buoyed by a
shift towards greater in-home consumption driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
* OCTOPUS ENERGY: Britain's Octopus Energy announced plans to supply retail
power to customers in Germany, home to big established utilities, but is open to
newcomers. * ASTRAZENECA: The Philippines is close to concluding talks with AstraZeneca
AZN.L for the supply of at least 20 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine, a
top coronavirus task force official said on Monday. * GREENCORE: Food group Greencore GNC.L said on Monday it plans to raise
cash by issuing new shares after reporting an 81% plunge in annual profit due to
the COVID-19 crisis. * JD SPORTS: JD Sports JD.L is in exclusive talks with British department
store chain Debenhams over a potential rescue takeover, the Times reported on
Monday. * GOLD: Gold slipped as progress on a COVID-19 vaccine and a federal
agency's approval of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden's transition to the White
House bolstered risk appetite, denting the bullion's safe-haven
appeal. * OIL: Brent crude prices hit their highest levels since March as news of a
third promising vaccine candidate spurred hopes of a quick recovery in oil
demand. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.3% lower on Monday. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB