* SAGA PLC: British holiday group Saga swung to a full-year profit as demand for its cruise and tour bookings remained robust, although its insurance unit continued to drag.
* RATHBONES: Rathbones said it had agreed to merge with the UK wealth business of Investec in an all-share deal valuing the latter's business at 839 million pounds ($1.04 billion).
* OKYO PHARMA: Ophthalmology-focused bio-pharmaceutical company OKYO Pharma said it has applied to the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and London Stock Exchange Plc to delist from the LSE's main market.
* RIO TINTO: Rio Tinto said it would buy A$319 million worth of shares in Energy Resources of Australia to help fund rehabilitation costs related to a former uranium mine in the Northern Territory.
* BAE SYSTEMS: Lockheed Martin Corp and BAE Systems Plc won a F-35 jet maintenance support contract worth 161 million pounds ($200 million), creating 140 jobs in Britain, the country's Ministry of Defence said.
* OIL: Oil prices steadied in early Asian trade after OPEC+ plans to cut more production jolted markets the previous day, with investors' attention shifting to demand trends and the impact of higher prices on the global economy.
* GOLD: Gold prices edged lower as traders assessed the likely path of the Federal Reserve's monetary policy after data showed a slump in U.S. manufacturing activity and as OPEC+'s production cut sparked inflationary risks.
* METALS: Prices of base metals were under pressure as slowing economic outlook and renewed inflation fears sparked demand worries among investors, despite supply uncertainty.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines (Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru)
