June 27 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 6
points higher at 7,423 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.
* VODAFONE: Vodafone VOD.L is set to secure EU antitrust approval for its
$22 billion bid for Liberty Global's LBTYA.O cable networks in Germany and
central Europe after offering concessions in May, people familiar with the
matter said on Wednesday. * BP: BP BP.L is returning to the animal feed business a quarter of a
century after exiting the sector. The oil and gas company said it is investing
$30 million in Calysta Inc., which produces protein for fish, livestock and pet
food. * BRITISH ELECTIONS: Boris Johnson, the favourite to become British prime
minister, said the chances of Britain leaving the European Union without a deal
are "a million-to-one" even as he repeated his promise to leave the bloc without
a deal by the end of October. * G20: Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet outgoing British Prime
Minister Theresa May at this week's G20 summit in Japan with a view to seeking
improved relations between the countries, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
* OIL: Oil fell on Thursday, erasing some of the previous session's strong
gains, as traders await the G20 summit in Japan and a meeting of OPEC and other
oil producers to decide on an extension of output cuts. * GOLD: Gold prices were little changed on Thursday following a steep fall
in the previous session, as investors waited on any Sino-U.S. trade developments
later this week, while bulls rolled back hopes of big U.S. interest rate cuts.
* EX-DIVS: British American Tobacco BATS.L , British Land Co BLND.L ,
Burberry Group BRBY.L , Experian EXPN.L and JD Sports JD.L will trade
without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-out on Thursday, trimming 6.18
points off the FTSE 100 according to Reuters calculations * London's main index edged down 0.1% on Wednesday as investor anxiety after
the U.S. Federal Reserve tampered expectations of interest rate cuts was
compounded by Washington's ambiguous signals on trade negotiations with China.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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* UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Hargreave Hale HHV.L Half Year Earnings Release
Greene King GNK.L Full Year Earnings Release
Liontrust Asset Management LIO.L Full Year Earnings Release
Hunting PLC HTG.L Pre-close Trading Statement Release
Serco Group PLC SRP.L Pre-Close Trading Statement Release
FastJet Plc FJET.L Full Year Earnings Release
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