UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on July 15

LONDON, July 15 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE was seen opening up
24-31 points or as much as 0.7 percent by financial bookmakers on Wednesday, as
strong U.S. results set a more positive tone for global equity markets.

The blue-chip index gained 0.9 percent the previous session to close at
4,237.68 after rising 1.9 percent on Monday.

Upbeat results from Goldman Sachs (GS.N), and Intel (INTC.O) after the bell
boosted hopes for the U.S. earnings season and the global demand outlook,
helping lift U.S. and Asian stocks broadly.

Asian stocks ex Japan .MIAJ0000PUS added 2.1 percent while S&P 500 futures
SPc1 were up 0.9 percent.

UK earnings and employment data will be in focus as investors try to gauge
the extent to which the recession is damaging the real economy. The unemployment
claimant count is forecast to grow by 40,500 in June.

Miners and energy stocks are likely to be well bid as metal prices are
firmly higher while crude is holding well above $60 per barrel CLc1.

* US STOCKS-Wall St up as earnings offset retail data [ID:nN14298790]

* Nikkei gains 0.5 pct on upbeat earnings, yen helps [ID:nT128665]

* TREASURIES-Edge up in Asia, regain some ground [ID:29360]

* Yen keeps soft tone after Goldman, Intel results [ID:nT127783]

* PRECIOUS-Gold holds above $925, ETF slips [ID:nT130152]

* Oil rises on API report, increased risk appetite [ID:nSYD459452]

* GLOBAL MARKETS-Shares cheered on by Intel [ID:nSYD514474]

* METALS-Shanghai copper hits 1-month peak [ID:nMAN449029]

UK stocks to watch on Wednesday are:

BHP BILLITON (BLT.L), RIO TINTO (RIO.L)

The miners are considering linking up their Australian coal operations
following a deal to create a joint venture in iron ore, Australia's Herald Sun
newspaper said. [ID:nLE629173]

BHP Billiton declined to comment on Wednesday on a media report that it and
rival Rio Tinto had stopped putting iron ore shipments up for tender.
[ID:nSYB006039]

Rio Tinto said iron ore output in the second quarter was up 8 percent on a
year earlier.
BHP Billiton is asking for as much as A$1 billion ($793 million) for its
idled Ravensthorpe nickel mine in western Australia, the Australian Financial
Review reported on Wednesday.

LAND SECURITIES (LAND.L)

The company releases a trading update.

DAEJAN HOLDINGS (DJAN.L)

The company releases its preliminary results.

BLACKS LEISURE GROUP (BSLA.L)

The outdoor leisure company releases a trading update.

BURBERRY (BRBY.L)

The fashion company releases a trading update.

JD WETHERSPOON (JDW.L)

The pub group releases a trading update.

NORTHERN FOODS (NFDS.L)

The company releases a trading update.

TODAY'S UK PAPERS

> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]

> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]
(Reporting by Simon Falush)