UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on Dec 30

LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening
32-53 points higher on Tuesday, the last full trading session of 2008 according
to financial bookmakers, reflecting overnight gains in Asia and shrugging aside
weakness on Wall Street.

The UK blue chip index closed 102.76 points higher at 4,319.35 on Monday
fuelled by strong gains from commodity issues.

"The FTSE is currently indicating a higher opening, as traders hope that the
equity market surge that started in Asia spills over into UK," said David Evans,
market analyst at BetOnMarkets.com.

"Early indications show that energy stocks will get the strongest boost on
the FTSE, as oil prices continue to push higher in early trade. Since there will
not be any economic data today, the FTSE is most likely to spend the day in
positive territory", Evans added.

* Wall Street falls on Dow news, economic fears [ID:nN29315366]

* Nikkei up on last day in 2008 but logs worst year ever [ID:nLU723027]

* Dollar dips vs euro on Middle East concerns [ID:nT311977]

* Oil rises for third day above $40 on Middle East [ID:nLU719874]

* Gold steady near 11-week high on Mideast violence [ID:nSP421605]

UK stocks to watch on Tuesday are:

DEBENHAMS (DEB.L)

Debenhams has been looking at raising equity capital, in order to reduce
debt levels amid worsening high street prospects, the Financial Times said.
According to people familiar with the situation, the board of Debenhams will
discuss its options to raise financing at the next board meeting in January, the
newspaper added.

HBOS <HBOS.L

HBOS' pension scheme trustees may ask a judge to postpone Lloyds TSB's
proposed acquisition of the bank until "appropriate arrangements" have been made
to guarantee the merged business will stand behind the fund, the Financial Times
said.

ROLLS-ROYCE (RR.L)

The Pentagon's daily list of contract announcements Monday says Rolls-Royce
was awarded a $221.7 mln contract modification for MV-22 and CV-22 AE1107C
engines for the U.S. Navy. [ID:nWEN2124]

PUNCH TAVERNS (PUB.L)

Hedge fund manager David Einhorn, Punch Tavern's biggest shareholder, has
reduced his stake in the pubs operator by more than a third, to 7.4 percent from
about 12 percent, reversing a strategy of stock accumulation, the Financial
Times said.

QINETIQ (QQ.L)

The National Audit Office is considering launching an investigation into a
12 billion pounds defence contract won by Qinetiq, the Daily Mail said.

IMPERIAL ENERGY IEC.L

Imperial Energy is closing in on the acceptance threshold of 90 percent for
the 1,250 pence a share takeover offer from ONGC Videsh, which will have to be
reached by 1pm on Tuesday, the Financial Times said.

EQUATOR EXPLORATION EEL.L

The oil & gas exploration company will hosts its annual meeting.

HUNTSWORTH (HNTS.L)

The PR consultancy will hold an extraordinary general meeting.

TODAY'S UK PAPERS

> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]

> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]

(Reporting by Jon Hopkins; Editing by Mike Nesbit)