UK Stocks -- Factors to watch on August 26

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening
around 1-2 points lower on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers, as
investors take a breather to assess the recent rally, with weaker crude prices
CLc1 likely to pin back heavyweight oil issues.

The UK blue chip index closed 20.57 points higher on Tuesday at 4,916.80,
its highest close since early October after a sixth straight session of gains.

The index is up 11 percent this year and has jumped 42 percent from a low
hit in March.

Japan's Nikkei stock average .N225 rose 1.6 percent to a fresh 10-month
high on Wednesday, while U.S. stocks gained on Tuesday as economic data and the
renomination of Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke reassured investors and
offset concerns about red ink in the federal budget. [ID:nN25229635]

No important UK economic data are due for release on Wednesday so investors
will be focused on July U.S. durable goods numbers, due at 1230 GMT, with an
increase of 3.2 percent expected for July, after 2.2 percent decline in June.

July U.S. new home sales will be released at 1400 GMT, with 0.39 million
sales expected, up marginally from 0.384 million in June.

Ex-dividend factors will clip 0.17 points off the FTSE 100 index, with
Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC.L), Fresnillo (FRES.L), and InterContinental
Hotels (IHG.L) the companies losing their dividend attractions on Wednesday.

* Nikkei rises to 10-month high on economic hopes [ID:nTKW006552]
* Wall St gains; economic data, Bernanke boost mood [ID:nN25229635]
* Yen, dollar give back early gains, US data awaited [ID:nT126529
* Treasuries-Ten-year notes dip as stock futures rise [ID:nT248503]
* Asia stocks edge up; eyes on oil and China [ID:nSP472901]
* Copper reverses losses, China lead checks eyed [ID:nSP469000]
* Gold up on steady dollar, eyes equities [ID:nT109947]
* Oil drops below $72 on bearish U.S. crude stocks [ID:nSP438479]

UK stocks to watch on Wednesday are:

LLOYDS BANKING GROUP (LLOY.L)

The bank may have to write off as much as 500 million pounds on loans it
made to pubs group Admiral Taverns, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.
[nLP593121]

ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND (RBS.L)

The bank is poised to slash retirement benefits for its staff in an attempt
to save 1 million pounds in annual costs and cut future liabilities by 500
million pounds, a decision which has sparked furious criticism from the trade
union Unite, The Independent said.

WPP GROUP (WPP.L)

The advertising firm posts first-half results.

ANTOFAGASTA (ANTO.L)

The Chilean copper miner reports first-half results.

TULLOW OIL (TLW.L)

The oil explorer delivers first-half results.

SERCO (SRP.L)

The outsourcing group releases first-half results.

RIO TINTO (RIO.L)

The global mining and resources group, is likely to open a mine in Serbia in
five or six years to exploit Jadarite, a mineral used to produce mobile phone
batteries, officials said on Tuesday.[nLP413223]

GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK.L)

The drugs firm has defended its ofalli product, an over-the-counter version
of Roche's (ROG.VX) weight loss drug, Xenical which the U.S. Food & Drug
Administration is reviewing on reports it may have been a cause of serious liver
injury.[nWEN2788]

DIAGEO (DGE.L)

Iberdrola-owned Scottish Power is close to signing a supply contract with
Diageo to provide electricity from a 10-megawatt tidal energy project to eight
distilleries and maltings on Islay -- including the makers of Laphroaig and
Lagavulin whiskies, The Guardian said on Wednesday.

DSG INTERNATIONAL (DSGI.L) The electricals retailer's plans to create an
exceptional remuneration scheme that would allow senior executives to sacrifice
up to a quarter of their salary in exchange for share options have come under
criticism from the investor advisory service Pirc, the Financial Times said.

JOHN WOOD GROUP (WG.L)

The oil services firm posts first-half results.

COSTAIN GROUP (COSG.L)

The construction firm reports first-half results.

ANGLO PACIFIC (APF.L)

The natural resources group posts first-half results.

ARK THERAPEUTICS (AKT.L)

The gene medicine company delivers first-half results.

AXIS SHIELD (ASD.L)

The Anglo-Norwegian diagnostics group posts first-half results.

MELROSE RESOURCES (MRS.L)

The oil and gas explorer reports first-half results.

VITEC GROUP (VTC.L)

The media products firm releases first-half results.

VISLINK (VLK.L)

The communications equipment maker posts first-half results.

WORKPLACE SYSTEM (WSI.L)

The business software firm holds its annual general meeting.

SPICE (SPI.L)

The support services group holds its annual general meeting.

INVU (INVU.L)

The document management software firm holds its annual general meeting.

(Reporting by Jon Hopkins; Editing by David Holmes)