(Adds futures and company news items)
May 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen 26 points lower
at 7,192 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures .FFIc1
down 0.6% ahead of the cash market open.
* WIZZ AIR: Low cost carrier Wizz Air WIZZ.L said it was optimistic for
the year ahead and would grow its net profit after delivering solid results on
Friday, saying it was well-placed to navigate an environment of higher fuel
costs.
* RANK GROUP, STRIDE GAMING: Casino and gaming operator Rank Group Plc
RNK.L said on Friday that it was in advanced discussions over a possible all
cash offer for online peer Stride Gaming Plc STRST.L .
* LEGAL & GENERAL: Britain's Legal & General Group LGEN.L will sell its
general insurance business to a UK subsidiary of Germany's Allianz ALVG.DE for
242 million pounds ($305 million), the companies said on Friday. * HSBC: HSBC HSBA.L is set to cut several hundred jobs in its investment
banking business by the end of the year, according to a source familiar with the
matter, as it seeks to improve returns. * GOLD: Gold prices rose on Friday, heading towards their first monthly gain
since January on increased safe-haven demand, after U.S. President Donald Trump
vowed to levy tariffs on all Mexican imports, ratcheting up concerns of a global
economic slowdown. * OIL: Oil prices fell on Friday and were on track for their biggest monthly
fall since November as trade conflicts spread and U.S. crude output returned to
record levels. * The UK blue chip index rose 0.5% on Thursday as the pound slipped on
concerns that outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May's successor might push for a
hard Brexit, helping more internationally focused stocks gain. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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