Dec 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 futures index (FFIc1) was down 1.49% ahead of the cash market open on Monday.
Royal Dutch Shell: Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L) said it will write down $3.5 to $4.5 billion in the value of oil and gas assets in 2021, the latest in a string of impairments this year as it adjusts to a weaker outlook.
Vodafone: Vodafone (VOD.L) has ended talks with Saudi Telecom Company (7010.SE) on the sale of its 55% shareholding in Vodafone Egypt, the British telecoms group said.
Frasers: Mike Ashley's Frasers Group (FRAS.L) withdrew its 2021 forecast after the sportswear retailer was forced to shut all its stores in London, South East and East of England as a fast-spreading new strain of the coronavirus called for tougher curbs.
AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca (AZN.L) said the U.S. medicines regulator had approved the British drugmaker's lung cancer therapy, Tagrisso, to treat another type of tumour in the lungs when diagnosed at an early stage.
Boohoo: British online fashion retailer Boohoo Group Plc (BOOH.L) said its board had approved appointing PKF Littlejohn as the group's auditor with immediate effect, replacing PwC which had been in the role for around seven years.
Gold: Gold climbed to a six-week high, driven by news that U.S. congressional leaders reached agreement on a COVID-19 aid package, while lockdowns in the United Kingdom soured appetite for riskier assets and added to the metal's support.
Oil: Oil prices dropped about 3% as a fast-spreading new coronavirus strain that has shut down much of the United Kingdom fuelled worries over a slower recovery in fuel demand amid tighter restrictions in Europe.
The UK blue-chip index (.FTSE) closed 0.3% lower on Friday as U.S. stocks dipped on a cooling fiscal stimulus-led rally GBP/ .
The domestically focused FTSE 250 (.FTMC), considered a barometer for Brexit sentiment, dropped about 0.9%, but finished the last full week of the year up 2.5%.