UK Stocks-Factors to watch on November 5

Nov 5 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.25%.

J D WETHERSPOON: Pub chain J D Wetherspoon JDW.L projected a more cautious outlook for the rest of the year ahead of the upcoming UK budget, and posted a slowdown in sales growth due to a squeeze in consumer spending.

MARKS & SPENCER: British retailer Marks & Spencer MKS.L reported a 55.4% slide in first-half underlying profit, reflecting the impact on sales and margins of an April cyber hack that forced it to suspend online clothing orders for seven weeks and also hit food availability.

BARRATT REDROW: Barratt Redrow BTRW.L Britain's largest homebuilder, said on Wednesday bookings slowed during the June 30-October 26 period, as mounting economic uncertainties kept potential buyers on the sidelines.

LANCASHIRE HOLDINGS: Lancashire Holdings LRE.L posted a 7.4% increase in gross written premiums to $1.83 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the company announced on Wednesday.

METRO BANK: Britain's Metro Bank MTRO.L reaffirmed its outlook for 2025 and beyond, encouraged by strong lending activity in key target areas and a boost from actions taken to bolster profits.

M&G: British insurer and asset manager M&G MNG.L posted a rise in third-quarter assets under management to 365 billion pounds ($489.87 billion), supported by net inflows of 1.5 billion pounds from external clients, reflecting strong demand across asset classes and regions.

AUTO SALES: Britain's new car market rose by just under 1% in October, according to preliminary industry data released on Wednesday, with battery electric vehicles accounting for one in every four new cars in the month.

COMMODITIES: Oil prices dipped amid a wider slump in financial markets, Shanghai copper eased for a fourth straight session, while gold prices edged higher.

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