LONDON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE is seen opening
between 2 and 4 points lower, according to financial bookmakers as global
equities pause for breath after recent rallies, with investors expected to stay
on the sidelines ahead of the second reading of U.S. Q2 GDP.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE is seen opening flat after a subdued showing overnight
on Wall Street and with weakness in Asian equities, after the UK blue chip index
closed 26.22 points lower at 4,890.58 on Wednesday.
Economists polled by Reuters expect U.S. second quarter GDP to fall 1.5
percent on the second reading, after initial data showed it shrank 1.0 percent
in the second quarter on an annualised basis.
In other economic data, the British CBI distributive trade figures for
August are due at 1000 GMT, while investors will also eye U.S. initial jobless
claims at 1230 GMT.
* Nikkei slips 1.6 pct, hit by China and stronger yen [ID:nT203412]
* Wall St ends flat; caution lingers after rally [ID:nN26282689
* Yen rises on doubts about risk rally outlook [ID:nT15984]
* TREASURIES-Solid bond auction beats summer doldrums [ID:nN2668860]
* GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares slip, wary of buying [ID:nSP506158]
* METALS-Shanghai copper lower LME up; China worries [ID:nSP537892]
* PRECIOUS-Gold steady above $940/oz, firm dollar weighs [ID:nT202344]
* Oil falls towards $71 on U.S. stockbuild; China eyed [ID:nSP466781]
UK stocks to watch on Thursday are:
LLOYDS BANKING GROUP (LLOY.L)
The lender is hoping to reduce its use of the government's insurance scheme
for toxic assets by offering investors a new form of interest-paying capital
instrument which could be converted into ordinary shares for those who choose to
subscribe, the Times reported.
KAZAKHMYS (KAZ.L)
The miner reports first half results.
DIAGEO (DGE.L)
The world's biggest spirits group reports annual earnings.
AMEC (AMEC.L)
The oil services group reports first half results.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK.L)
The Danish biotech company Genmab (GEN.CO) said on Wednesday that it got
positive top-line results from a phase II study of its Arzerra cancer drug,
which is being co-developed with GlaxoSmithKline. [ID:nLQ313048]
NATIONAL EXPRESS (NEX.L)
The firm's institutional shareholders have been canvassed as to whether they
would prefer the company to embark on a 350 million pound rights issue or pursue
a takeover proposal from a consortium that includes the Cosmen family, National
Express's largest shareholder, the Financial Times reported.
BANKS
The chairman of Britain's Financial Services Authority (FSA) said he would
back higher taxes on the country's financial sector to prevent institutions
making excessive profits and to curb excessive pay. [ID:nLQ462975]
SAVILLS (SVS.L)
The global real estate broker reports first half results.
ARRIVA (ARI.L)
The rail and bus operator reports first half results.
SEGRO PLC (SGRO.L)
The industrial landlord reports first half results.
PETER HAMBRO MINING (POG.L)
The Russian gold producer reports first half results.
HIKMA PHARMA (HIK.L)
The generic drugmaker reports first half results.
CARILLON (CLLN.L)
The building and outsourcing group reports first half results.
PREMIER OIL (PMO.L)
The oil and gas producer reports first half results.
CHAUCER HOLDINGS (CHU.L)
The insurance group reports first half results.
COMPUTACENTER (CCC.L)
The IT firm reports second quarter results.
FILTRONA (FLTR.L)
The plastics and fibre products company reports first half results.
FORTH PORTS (FPT.L)
The ports-to-property group reports first half results.
HUNTING PLC (HTG.L)
The energy services company reports first half results.
IMI PLC (IMI.L)
The engineer reports first half results.
INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS (INPP.L)
The company reports first half results.
SALAMANDER ENERGY (SMDR.L)
The oil and gas explorer reports first half results.
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]
> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]
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(Reporting by Harpreet Bhal)
