July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 12
point higher at 6,002 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers.
* FRC: Accounting firms continue to show too little independence when
checking the books of listed companies and should show more professional
scepticism when dealing with clients, Britain's audit watchdog said.
* LOCKDOWN: UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said late on Thursday that the
COVID-19 lockdown in parts of Northern England will be tightened. * OIL: Oil prices recovered further ground, after touching three-week lows
in the previous session, responding to a record decline in U.S. growth.
* GOLD: Gold rose en route to its best month in more than four years as the
dollar slid further after dismal U.S. data added to doubts about a swift
recovery from the pandemic-induced economic slump. * METAL: London copper prices were on course for a fourth consecutive
monthly gain, rising in early Asian trade on Friday as the dollar slipped to
two-year lows. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE ended 2.3% lower on broad-based losses on
Thursday. Gloomy quarterly results from banks and a clutch of other firms saw
the FTSE 100 post its worst session in five weeks. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
International Consolidated ICAG.L HY Results
Airlines Group SA
BT Group BT.L Q1 Trading Statement
British American Tobacco BATS.L HY Results
Intertek Group ITRK.L HY Results
Paragon Banking Group PAGPA.L Q3 Trading Statement
Pets at Home Group PETSP.L Q1 Trading Statement
London Stock Exchange Group LSE.L HY Results
Natwest Group NWG.L HY Results
Glencore GLEN.L HY Production Report
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