UPDATE 1-French and Benelux stocks - Factors to watch on July 2

PARIS, July 2 (Reuters) - Below is company-related news and leading stories from French and Benelux newspapers which could have an impact on the region's markets or individual stocks.

FRANCE TELECOM FTPE.PA

France Telecom is considering forming a joint venture between Orange, its British mobile business, and Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile UK, The Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing sources close to the situation. Orange is Britain's third largest mobile operator, with a market share of 22 percent, compared with T-Mobile UK's 15 percent, the FT said.

AREVA (CEPFi.PA)

French nuclear group Areva could look at mining and renewable energy asset acquisitions, its chief executive Anne Lauvergeon said in an interview with France's Radio Classique on Thursday.

EDF (EDF.PA)

The French power giant said it would close its retail bond offer earlier than anticipated on July 6 after raising more than 2.5 billion euros ($3.52 billion) in the past two weeks.

For more on this please click on [ID:nL1903215]

AIR FRANCE-KLM (AIRF.PA)

Europe's biggest airline's first-quarter sales have fallen sharply, calling into question the airline's target for a 2009/10 operating loss of 129 million euros ($181.5 million), French newspaper La Tribune reported, citing sources from within the company. For more click on [ID:nL1137925]

DEXIA (DEXI.BR)