UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on July 23

LONDON, July 23 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening
1-5 points higher on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, consolidating
an eight session winning streak after mixed showings on Wall Street and in Asia.

The UK blue chip index closed 12.56 points higher on Wednesday at 4,493.73,
taking its rise over the eight sessions to more than 8.2 percent.

The main macro focus Thursday will be on June UK retail sales numbers, which
are forecast to rise 0.4 percent on the month, after a 0.6 percent decline in
May, giving annualised growth of 2.2 percent, after a 1.6 percent fall
previously.

Investors will also have the latest U.S. weekly jobless claims and June
existing home sales numbers to assess in the afternoon.

* Nasdaq up on Apple, Starbucks; eBay jumps [ID:nLN673387]

* Asia stocks edge up, eyes on oil, earnings [ID:nSP518702]

* Nikkei jumps to 3-week high, buoyed by yen retreat [ID:nT270104]

* Dollar rises to lower 94 yen zone in Tokyo [ID:nKWSgfsJa]

* Treasuries slide on earnings, supply worries [ID:nLN673461]

* Oil holds above $65; US crude dip offsets fuel build [ID:nLN187100]

* Shanghai copper up over 1 pct, tracks LME gains [ID:nSHA264110]

* Gold steadies above $950/oz, ETF holdings dip [ID:nT270719]

UK stocks to watch on Thursday are:

NATIONAL EXPRESS (NEX.L)

The British bus and train operator said after the close on Wednesday it had
received a takeover approach from an unnamed suitor after rival FirstGroup
(FGP.L) ruled out a formal takeover offer for the company. [ID:nLM30396]

STAGECOACH (SGC.L)

The bus and train operator was linked with a takeover bid National Express
as FirstGroup, a third competitor walked away from a possible deal, the Times
said.

RIO TINTO (RIO.L)

Guinea has told Rio Tinto to give up its battle to retain their concessions
on the $6 billion Simandou iron ore project, saying the global miner was
destabilising the West African country, the Times newspaper reported on its
website.

ASTRAZENECA (AZN.L)

Alcon ACL.N and Astrazeneca are to collaborate on eye drug development in
a five-year collaborative research agreement. [ID:nWNAB0448]

DIAGEO (DGE.L)

China Investment Corp., the Chinese sovereign wealth fund, is not the owner
of a recently acquired 1.1 percent stake in the UK drinks group, as reported in
the Financial Times on Tuesday, the newspaper said.

BP (BP.L)

The oil giant declined to comment on reports on Wednesday that planned
maintenance work would restrict flows through its CATS pepeline for 28 days in
August. [ID:nLM510531]

KINGFISHER (KGF.L)

The DIY retailer issues a Q2 trading update.

IMPERIAL TOBACCO GROUP (IMT.L)

The tobacco firm issues a trading update.

LONMIN (LMI.L)

The platinum miner issues a Q3 output statement.

SCOTTISH & SOUTHERN ENERGY (SSE.L)

The multi-utility issues a trading update.

WATER COMPANIES

Regulator OFWAT will deliver its draft price determination proposals for the
water companies for the five year period from 2010 to 2015.

TATE & LYLE (TATE.L)

The sugar and sweeteners producer holds its annual general meeting.

COMPASS GROUP (CPG.L)

The contract caterer issues a trading update.

CARPHONE WAREHOUSE (CPW.L)

The mobile phones retailer issues a Q1 trading update.

JJB SPORTS (JJB.L)

David Jones, the chairman of JJB Sports, is to come under fire from business
rival Mike Ashley, founder of Sports Direct International (SPD.L) at the
retailer's annual general meeting on friday over a controversial 1.5 million
pound loan Ashley extended to him, the Financial Times said.

MORSE MOR.L

Talk of a takeover bid pitched at around 40 pence a share, according to the
Financial Times' Small Caps Market report.

CAPITA GROUP (CPI.L)

The outsourcing group posts first-half results.

MISYS (MSY.L)

The software and services group reports full-year results.

DAILY MAIL & GENERAL TRUST (DMGOa.L)

The newspaper publisher issues a trading update.

DE LA RUE (DLAR.L)

The secure printer issues a trading update.

GREAT PORTLAND ESTATES (GPOR.L)

The property group issues a trading update.

CLOSE BROTHERS (CBRO.L)

The financial services firm issues a trading update.

INTERNATIONAL PERSONAL FINANCE (IPF.L)

The emerging markets lender issues a trading update.

YELL GROUP YELLL

The directories publisher is facing an embarrassing shareholder rebellion
over pay and bonus packages for its senior executives at its AGM on Friday, the
Daily Mail said. Yell posts its first-quarter results on Thursday.

HYDER CONSULTING (HYC.L)

The consultancy group issues a trading upate.

SSL INTERNATIONAL SSL.L

The condoms to footcare products firm holds its annual general meeting.

SHANKS GROUP (SKS.L)

The waste management firm holds its annual general meeting.

WINCANTON (WIN.L)

The logistics firm holds its annual general meeting.

TODAY'S UK PAPERS

> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]

> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]

(Reporting by Jon Hopkins; Editing by Mike Nesbit)