Oct 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 (.FTSE) index is seen opening 18 points higher at 5,907 on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures up 0.09% ahead of cash market open.
Antofagasta: Chilean miner Antofagasta (ANTO.L) reported a 4.6% drop in third-quarter output on the previous quarter but maintained its 2020 production guidance.
William Hill: British bookmaker William Hill (WMH.L) warned that further local lockdowns triggered by a fast-spreading second coronavirus wave would hit core earnings, as it posted lower third-quarter revenue due to a fall in gaming revenue.
Metro Bank: Britain's Metro Bank (MTRO.L) reported a 2% increase in lending for the third quarter, but warned its capital levels remain below buffers expected by regulators as it grapples with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
FRC: Accounting watchdog Financial Reporting Council has called on firms to ensure reports and accounts remain clear, consistent and relevant against a backdrop of increased economic uncertainty brought by the pandemic.
Wizz Air: The world will have a smaller airline industry as a result of the coronavirus crisis with many privately funded carriers set to go under and governments throwing "good money after bad" to keep national champions afloat, Wizz Air's CEO (WIZZ.L) said.
GlaxoSmithKline: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) said it would move its experimental vaccine against the respiratory syncytial virus, a cause of pneumonia in toddlers and the elderly, into the final stage of testing, encouraged by mid-stage trial results.
AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca Plc's (AZN.L) COVID-19 vaccine trial in the United States is expected to resume as early as this week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration completed its review of a serious illness in a study participant, four sources told Reuters.
Gold: Gold prices rose on Wednesday as optimism that U.S. lawmakers could reach agreement on a pre-election coronavirus relief package pressured the dollar and bolstered the precious metal's appeal as an inflation hedge.
Oil: Oil prices eased on Wednesday after a surprise build-up in U.S. crude stockpiles stoked concerns about a global supply glut even as a spike in global COVID-19 cases fuelled fears of slower recovery in fuel demand.
The UK blue-chip index (.FTSE) closed 0.1% higher on Tuesday as investors remained hopeful of a trade deal with the European Union by year-end, although gains were capped by concerns over tougher coronavirus lockdowns in parts of England.
UK corporate diary:
MHP SE (MHPCq.L) Q3 preclose trading update
Segro Plc (SGRO.L) Q3 trading statement
Antofagasta Plc (ANTO.L) Q3 production report
Manchester United Plc (MANU.N) Q4 results
William Hill (WMH.L) Trading statement