(Adds futures, gold, news items)
July 9 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 46
points higher at 6,202 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, with
futures FFIc1 up 0.5% ahead of cash markets open.
* ROLLS ROYCE: Aerospace engineer Rolls-Royce RR.L said it had burned
through 3 billion pounds ($3.8 billion) in its first half as the hours flown by
its engines halved due to the COVID-19 pandemic. * ROBERT WALTERS: Recruiter Robert Walters RWA.L reported a one-third fall
in second-quarter net fee income as companies put hiring on ice during
coronavirus-linked lockdowns. * PAGEGROUP: Global recruiter PageGroup PAGE.L said it laid off another
326 employees in May and June, while reporting a 47.4% slump in second-quarter
profit. * PERSIMMON: British housebuilder Persimmon Plc's PSN.L first-half revenue
plunged 32% as the coronavirus lockdowns halted construction and delayed
deliveries. * WORKSPACE: British shared-office space provider Workspace Group WKP.L
said customer enquiries slumped by more than half in the first
quarter. * ECONOMY: Britain is facing a significant recession but it is too early to
tell how quickly the economy will be able to recover, British finance minister
Rishi Sunak said. * OIL: Oil prices were little changed as concerns about renewed COVID-19
lockdowns in the United States outweighed signs of a recovery in U.S. gasoline
demand. * GOLD: Gold steadied above the key $1,800/oz level on Thursday, as worries
over mounting COVID-19 cases offset hopes of a swift global economic recovery.
* The UK blue-chip index .FTSE slipped 0.6% on Wednesday, as another jump
in global COVID-19 cases overshadowed hopes of an economic rebound. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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