UK Stocks-Factors to watch on October 19

Oct 19 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Monday, with futures down 0.25%.

* SERICA ENERGY: Serica Energy SQZ.L flagged a further delay to the restart of its Triton production vessel, prompting the oil and gas firm to lower its annual production forecast.

* ANTOFAGASTA: Workers from two striking unions at Antofagasta's ANTO.L Centinela copper mine in Chile reached a preliminary agreement on a new collective contract, ending a strike that has lasted more than a week at the mine, the unions said late on Friday in a statement sent to members.

* HEATHROW: British finance minister John Healey said expanding Heathrow Airport would help drive growth, in a show of support for the project after his boss, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, refused to back plans for a new runway.

* THAMES WATER: Thames Water said on Friday it had reached an agreement with key Class B creditors on a proposed recapitalisation, securing support from holders of more than 60% of its junior Class B debt and advancing efforts to restructure Britain's biggest water utility

* HOUSE PRICES: Asking prices for British homes rose in October, but there were signs that rising mortgage rates caused by the war in Iran were starting to weigh on affordability and more resilient parts of the market, property ​website Rightmove said on Monday.

* OIL: Oil prices slipped from a five-month high as investors took profits after US President Donald Trump waived sanctions and tariffs on Russia that may lead to more Russian fuel exports.

* GOLD: Gold prices edged higher as softer oil prices offered support, while investors assessed the chances of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike later this year.

* METALS: Copper edged higher on Monday amid signs of severe shortages of copper concentrate, while the end of a strike at a major Chilean mine eased some immediate supply concerns.

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

TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB