LONDON, June 10 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index
is seen opening up 13-21 points, or as much as 0.5 percent, on Wednesday,
according to financial bookmakers.
There were gains overnight in Asia but a mixed showing on Wall Street, with
strength in oil and metal prices expected to lift commodity issues.
The UK blue-chip index closed down 0.43 points on Tuesday at 4,404.76 after
a choppy session with volumes only at about 76 percent of the index's average
daily volume.
Volumes could be constrained early on Wednesday as a 48-hour London
Underground strike makes the journey to work more difficult for traders.
A batch of economic data should provide some interest on Wednesday.
UK May industrial output is expected to have fallen 0.1 percent on the month
but remained at minus 12.4 percent year-on-year.
The decline in UK manufacturing output is seen slightly improved
year-on-year at minus 12.8 percent in May, up from minus 12.9 percent in April.
UK April trade balance numbers will also be released at 0830 GMT.
U.S. international trade figures are also due on Wednesday, but the main
U.S. focus will be the latest Fed Beige book, set to be published after the
London close.
* Texas Instruments lifts tech stocks; Dow flat [ID:nN09399585]
* Nikkei hits 8-month high, led by resources [ID:nT371694]
* GLOBAL MARKETS-Higher commods support Asia resource stocks [ID:nHKG180203]
* FOREX-Dollar slide pauses,market seeks clues on US rates [ID:nT364181]
* TREASURIES-Edge down in Asia before 10-year auction [ID:nT183882]
* Oil rises near $71 after large fall in U.S. crude stocks [ID:nSP420497]
* Gold rises as dollar remains pressured, ETF flat [ID:nT184230]
* Shanghai copper up 2 pct, tracing LME rally [ID:nSHA343125]
UK stocks to watch on Wednesday are:
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP (LLOY.L)
Lloyds Banking Group is in talks to sell part of Insight, the investment
management operation it inherited when it took over struggling rival HBOS last
year, the Financial Times reported. [nB471244]
BANKS
The Treasury has told its investment banking advisers to weigh up the
possibility of selling Northern Rock (NRKx.L) back to the City in the autumn,
The Times said.
BHP BILLITON (BLT.L)
The miner has accepted a 58 percent cut in metallurgical coal prices for the
current shipping year with key global customers, the company said on
Wednesday.[nSYU006668]
XSTRATA (XTA.L)
The miner has indefinitely suspended operations at its Montcalm nickel mine
in Timmins, Ontario, after finding structural damage, the company said on
Tuesday. [nN09388395]
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE (LSE.L)
Xavier Rolet, LSE's chief executive will on Wednesday set out his proposals
for expanding the group's business into new areas in his first presentation to
the board since taking over from Clara Furse, the FT said.
FTSE REJIG
LSE, Wolseley (WOS.L), and 3i Group (III.L) are expected to return to the
FTSE 100 index after the latest quarterly indexes reshuffle, due after the close
on Wednesday but based on Tuesday's closing prices. Whitbread (WTB.L), Drax
Group (DRX.L), and Amlin (AML.L) look set for blue chip demotion.
BRITISH AIRWAYS (BAY.L)
The airline is demanding significant pay cuts from its cabin crew and pilots
after data from the Civil Aviation Authority revealed that the carrier is paying
them twice as much as rival airlines, The Times said.
BT GROUP (BT.L)
Dan Marks, chief executive of the pay-TV service BT Vision, has shocked the
City by resigning after becoming "frustrated" with BSkyB's (BSY.L) dominance of
Premiership football, the Daily Telegraph said.
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING (BSY.L)
The satellite broadcaster has attacked a government review that guarantees
free-to-air coverage of the nation's "A-list" sporting events, the Daily
Telegraph said.
ANTOFAGASTA (ANTO.L)
The Chilean copper miner holds its annual general meeting.
HALFORDS GROUP (HFD.L)
The bicycles to car parts retailer posts full-year results.
PZ CUSSONS (PZC.L)
The Imperial Leather soaps firm will issue a trading update.
LIONTRUST ASSET MANAGEMENT (LIO.L)
The fund manager reports full-year results.
RENSBURG SHEPPARDS (RBG.L)
The fund manager unveils full-year results.
SOCO INTERNATIONAL (SIA.L)
The oil explorer holds its annual general meeting.
DATACASH GROUP (DATA.L)
The payment services provider holds its annual general meeting.
AMINEX (AMNX.L)
The oil explorer holds its annual general meeting.
FUTURA MEDICAL (FUM.L)
The sexual health specialist holds its annual general meeting.
IDEAL SHOPPING DIRECT (IDLS.L)
The television shopping firm holds its annual general meeting.
MECOM GROUP (MEC.L)
The European media group holds its annual general meeting.
LONDON ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES (LAS.L)
The property 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 Will Waterman)
