UPDATE 1 — UK Stocks — Factors to watch on October 16

(Adds new items, updates futures) October 16 (Reuters) — Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening lower on Friday, with futures down 0.2%. MAN GROUP: Man Group said its assets under management hit a record $270.9 billion at the end of September, beating expectations and marking a rise of 6.8% from three months earlier. ITHACA ENERGY: Ithaca Energy said CEO Luciano Vasques intends to retire by March 31, 2027. OFGEM: Ofgem launched a consultation on activating its market stabilisation charge, to protect energy suppliers from wholesale price swings and continued market volatility during a possibly tough winter. BANKS: British finance minister John Healey said banks were central to the country's economic future when pressed by reporters about the likelihood of a windfall tax on their bumper profits in his first budget on October 28. AUTOMOBILE: France and Germany are nearing a deal on cars that would water down EU-wide CO2 emission targets for 2035 and open the door for Britain to be treated as a trusted partner under the EU's "Made in EU" rules, diplomats said. ENERGY PRICES: Soaring energy prices so far appear to be having limited wider effects on British prices, but it is too soon t