UK Stocks-Factors to watch on January 9

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.17%.

SAINSBURY'S: Sainsbury's SBRY.L reported a 3.4% rise in underlying sales for the key Christmas quarter, with strong grocery sales offset by a weaker performance in general merchandise.

IAG: IAG ICAG.L appointed José Antonio Barrionuevo, its British Airways division's finance chief, as the group's new CFO , succeeding Nicholas Cadbury in June.

GLENCORE: Rio Tinto RIO.L is in early talks to buy Glencore GLEN.L, in what could create the world's largest mining company with a combined market value of nearly $207 billion.

ANGLO AMERICAN: The proposed merger of Anglo American AAL.L and Teck Resources TECKb.TO is heading for antitrust clearance in Europe, according to a filing.

ANTOFAGASTA: The Trump administration and U.S. Congress are launching a plan this week to overturn former President Joe Biden's mining ban in northern Minnesota. The move will benefit Antofagasta's ANTO.L Twin Metals copper, cobalt and nickel project.

GSK: AnaptysBio ANAB.O has filed a partial motion to dismiss a claim by GSK's GSK.L oncology unit over royalties for cancer drug Jemperli.

OIL: Oil prices rose for a second day on Friday and set for their third weekly gain, on uncertainty about the future of supply from Venezuela and as Iranian unrest increases concerns about output there.

METALS: Copper and nickel are poised to end the week higher, despite a recent selloff as investors booked profits.

GOLD: Gold fell on Friday as commodity index readjustments and a firm dollar kept the pressure on prices, with investors positioning ahead of crucial U.S. non-farm payrolls data.

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