UK Stocks-Factors to watch on January 28

Adds new items, updates futures

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening flat on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.02%.

* MARSTON'S: Marston's MARS.L reported a 4% rise in like-for-like sales for the 17-week period ended January 24, helped by strong holiday footfall, and said it was confident of meeting full-year consensus expectations.

* PETS AT HOME: Pets at Home PETSP.L kept its profit forecast for the year unchanged, even as the British pet care retailer reported lower third-quarter revenue.

* DEBENHAMS: Debenhams Group DEBS.L lifted its expectations for 2025 adjusted core profit , helped by strong performances across its brands and gains from its turnaround efforts, including PrettyLittleThing $(PLT)$, which it now plans to retain.

* BRITISH LAND: British Land BLND.L will acquire Life Science REIT LABS.L in a deal that values the property trust at about 150 million pounds, UK's largest direct owner and operator of retail parks said.

* AUCTION TECHNOLOGY: FitzWalter Capital said its increased buyout bid of 491 million pounds for Auction Technology Group ATG.L was final, after the British online auction operator denied its biggest shareholder access to conduct due diligence.

* SHELL: Shell's SHEL.L challenge to its arbitration defeat to liquefied natural gas producer Venture Global VG.N centres on potential communications between the U.S. firm and independent engineer Lummus Consultants, a draft court hearing transcript seen by Reuters shows.

* VETERINARY MARKET: Britain plans to overhaul the veterinary market with clearer pricing rules and a new licensing system to hold the sector to account after a surge in charges faced by pet owners in recent years, the government said.

* COMMODITIES: Oil prices gained, copper climbed, and gold broke through $5,200 for the first time.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

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(Compiled by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru)

((Neeshita.Beura@thomsonreuters.com))