European Factors - Shares seen mixed; eyes on Fed

(Adds company news, futures, details; updates snapshot)

PARIS, Aug 12 (Reuters) - European equities were seen mixed on Wednesday,
following a two-session retreat, as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S.
Federal Reserve's two-day meeting and digested earnings news from companies such
as Nestle (NESN.VX), BHP Billiton (BLT.L) and ING (ING.AS).

By 0630 GMT, futures for the DJ Euro Stoxx STXEc1 were down 0.15 percent,
for Germany's DAX FDXc1 were up 0.06 percent and for France's CAC FCEc1 were
up 0.03 percent. Earlier, financial spreadbetters had expected Britain's FTSE
100 .FTSE to open 6 points lower to 7 points higher.
The Fed's policy-setting committee, which is seen holding its benchmark
overnight rate in a range of zero to 0.25 percent, is expected to give a nod to
signs the U.S. recession is abating but will likely warn that the recovery will
be slow and dampen any expectations it will soon start to raise interest rates.
[ID:nN10470294]. Its statement is due at around 1815 GMT.

At 0930 GMT, the Bank of England will publish quarterly growth and
inflation forecasts, which should shed light on its surprise decision last week
to pump more money into the economy. The BoE could leave the door open to more
quantitative easing if its forecasts suggest weak economic growth will leave
inflation below target for an extended period. [ID:nLA266268]

European shares fell 1.3 percent on Tuesday after disappointing U.S.
economic data prompted investors to lock in recent hefty profits, with banking
and commodity stocks weighing the most on the main index.

The FTSEurofirst 300 .FTEU3 index of top European shares has surged 44
percent since hitting a floor in early March, but it is still down 43 percent
from its multiyear peak reached in mid-2007.

----------------------MARKET SNAPSHOT AT 0625 GMT----------------------

LAST PCT CHG NET CHG

S&P 500 .SPX 994.35 -1.27 % -12.75

NIKKEI .N225 10,435.00 -1.42 % -150.46

MSCI ASIA EX-JP .MIASJ0000PUS 425.90 -1.48 % -6.41

EUR/USD EUR= 1.4128 -0.12 % -0.0017

USD/JPY JPY= 95.49 -0.47 % -0.4500

10-YR US TSY YLD US10YT=RR 3.666 -- -0.01

10-YR BUND YLD EU10YT=RR 3.460 -- -0.01

SPOT GOLD XAU= $943.80 -0.08 % -$0.75

US CRUDE CLc1 $69.29 -0.23 % -0.16

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

* Asian shares fall in pre-Fed caution [ID:nSP524687]

* Nikkei off 10-mth highs in nervous trade before Fed [ID:nT45475]

* TREASURIES-Edge up in Asia, eyes on FOMC [ID:nT166384]

* Oil steadies below $70 ahead of data, Fed meet [ID:nSP522193]

* Shanghai copper down ahead of Fed decision [ID:nSHA34098]

* Gold steadies at $950/oz, FOMC eyed; ETF [ID:nT44368]

* Yen rises as investors cut shorts before Fed [ID:nT39304]

COMPANY NEWS:

BHP BILLITON (BLT.L)

The world's largest miner reported a 30 percent slide in annual profit
excluding writedowns, its first fall in seven years, pummelled by a slump in
metals prices and demand. It said there were emerging signs of demand improving
in North America, Europe and Japan, but warned it was too early to tell if this
improvement was driven by real demand or restocking. For details, see:
[BLT.L-LEN-RTRS]

ING Groep NV (ING.AS)

Dutch bancassurer ING on Wednesday returned to profitability after nearly 5
billion euros of losses in the previous three quarters, but profit was well
below the expected result on a loss in banking operations. [ID:nLC136922]

NESTLE (NESN.VX)

Nestle, the world's biggest food group, reported organic sales grew 3.5
percent in the first half, missing forecasts as it pared its full-year outlook,
saying it expected faster growth in the second half. [ID:nLC195886]

E.ON (EONGn.DE)

The world's largest utility reported earnings that beat market expectations,
following strong results from major European peers such as France's EDF (EDF.PA)
and Iberdrola (IBE.MC).For details, see:[ID:nL0124017]

RIO TINTO (RIO.L)

Chinese prosecutors have formally arrested four employees of
Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto on suspicion of obtaining commercial
secrets and bribery, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday. For
details, see:[ID:nSP499437]

REPSOL YPF (REP.MC)

China's CNOOC (0883.HK) is still interested in buying a stake in Repsol
YPF's Argentine unit, as it separately pushes to form a $15 billion joint
venture with the Spanish oil major, a source said on Wednesday. For details,
see:[ID:nHKG29730]

IBERIA (IBLA.MC), BRITISH AIRWAYS (BAY.L)

Iberia's July passenger traffic fell 3.7 percent year on year as capacity
was cut to meet falling demand, the Spanish airline said on Tuesday.
[ID:nMDT006620]

Separately, El Economista cited unnamed sources close to Iberia's board as
saying that the airline was seeking alternatives to long-standing merger plans
with British Airways.

NOBEL BIOCARE (NOBN.VX)

Swiss dental implant maker Nobel Biocare (NOBN.VX) reported a 9 percent fall
in sales in the second quarter as consumers reined in spending on costly teeth
treatments. For related news click on [NOBN.VX-LEN-RTRS]

UBS (UBSN.VX)(UBS.N)

The bank has hired more than 20 bankers for its fixed income business as it
strives to get its investment bank back on track after heavy losses in the
credit crisis. For related news click on [ID:nLB163861]

PUBLICIS (PUBP.PA)

The advertising group's finance director told an analyst call on Tuesday
that Publicis' acquisition of Razorfish would be earnings enhancing from
2010-2011 onwards. For details, see:[ID:nWEA5679]

(Reporting by Blaise Robinson)