Nov 27 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 19 points lower at
6,344 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers.
* ASTRAZENECA: AstraZeneca AZN.L is likely to run an additional global
trial to assess the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine using a lower dosage, its
chief executive was quoted as saying on Thursday amid questions over the results
of its late-stage study. * ASTRAZENECA: Britain on Friday asked its medicine regulator to assess
Oxford University and AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate for temporary
supply, a step towards beginning a roll-out before the end of the year.
* BREXIT: European Union assessments of whether to grant market access for
UK banks and other financial firms will not be completed in time for January,
sources in the bloc said on Thursday as the estranged allies make a final push
for a free trade deal. * GOLD: Gold prices were set for a third straight week of declines as
growing optimism over a coronavirus vaccine drove investors into traditionally
riskier assets and out of the safe-haven metal. * OIL: Oil prices were mixed in quiet trade due to the U.S. Thanksgiving
holiday, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropping more than 1% amid concerns
about oversupply and doubts about a vaccine to end the coronavirus
pandemic. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.4% lower on Thursday amid
heightened concerns over economic growth after Health Minister Matt Hancock said
more than a third of the population would remain under tough COVID-19
restrictions at the end of a national lockdown. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Benchmark Holdings Plc BMKB.L FY earnings
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