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)

Belgian-French financial group Dexia said on Wednesday it has finalised the sale of its loss-making U.S. insurance unit Financial Security Assurance (FSA) to bond insurer Assured Guaranty (AGO.N) for $817 million. In an interview with La Tribune, Chief Executive Pierre Mariani said Dexia did not need to book new provisions to cover itself against credit default in the financial products portfolio.

[ID:nL1388077]

AREVA (CEPFi.PA)

The Qatar Investment Authority is mulling buying the 7.3 percent stake in defence group Safran (SAF.PA) that French nuclear group Areva (CEPFi.PA) may sell as part of a financing plan, French magazine Challenge said, citing no sourecs.

A spokeswoman at Areva declined to comment the report.

For latest news double click on [CEPFi.PA-RTRS]

RHJ (RHJI.BR)

The Belgian firm's chief executive says the group is pursuing financial service investments, but will also consider "special opportunities." General Motors GMGMQ.PK had confirmed that the group is interested in taking over Opel, but RHJ has declined to comment on the matter.

For more double click on [RHJI.BR]

OLYMPIQUE LYON (OLG.PA)

France striker Karim Benzema has agreed to join Real Madrid from Olympique Lyon, the two clubs said on Wednesday. Real and Lyon agreed a transfer fee which could reach 41 million euros and Benzema will sign a six-year contract after undergoing a medical. For more on this please click on [ID:nL1578730]