July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 12 points higher at 6,002 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures (FFIc1) up 0.6% ahead of cash markets open.
NATWEST: NatWest Group (NWG.L) plunged into the red in the first half of the year after setting aside a fresh 2.1 billion pound ($2.76 billion) provision against a potential surge in loan losses.
LSE: The London Stock Exchange said it may consider selling part or all of its Italian stock exchange group to help get its planned $27 billion takeover of data and analytics group Refinitiv approved.
GLENCORE: Miner and trader Glencore (GLEN.L) said a stellar performance in its trading division would see it hit the top end of guidance for the year but posted lower production figures for its first half.
BATS: British American Tobacco (BATS.L) reported better-than-expected profits, as the company sold more high-priced cigarettes and saw strong demand for vaping products in the United States.
BT: BT (BT.L), Britain's biggest broadband and mobile operator, reported a 7% drop in both revenue and core earnings in its first quarter after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted its BT Sport television revenue.
IAG: IAG (LON:ICAG), the owner of British Airways, said it planned to raise 2.75 billion euros in a capital increase backed by its biggest shareholder Qatar Airways, to strengthen its finances.
PETS AT HOME: Pets At Home (PETSP.L) posted a 1% fall in first-quarter revenue as a lockdown-driven jump in demand for supplies faded and pet-owners made fewer trips to the vet due to lockdown restrictions.
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
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