UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Aug 20

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 88
points lower at 6,024 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.

* IHG: French hotels group Accor ACCP.PA has examined a merger with
British peer InterContinental Hotels Group Plc IHG.L , Le Figaro newspaper
reported on its website. * CENTRICA: Members of the GMB union have voted for industrial action
against Centrica Plc's CNA.L British Gas after the utility issued "fire and
rehire" threats to its workforce, the union said on Wednesday. * GOLD: Gold on Thursday bounced back from the previous session's hefty
losses after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised concerns that a recovery from the
coronavirus-induced economic slump faced a highly uncertain path, weighing on
risk sentiment. * OIL: Oil prices fell as major producers warned of a risk to demand
recovery if the coronavirus crisis is prolonged, while U.S. crude inventories
dropped less than expected. * METALS: London copper dipped, retreating from an over two-year high hit in
the previous session, as a stronger U.S. dollar made metals less attractive to
holders of other currencies. * EX-DIVS: Anglo American AAL.L , Berkeley Group BKGH.L , Croda
International CRDA.L , Evraz EVRE.L , Hikma HIK.L , Imperial Brands IMB.L ,
London Stock Exchange LSE.L , Mondi MNDI.L , M&G Plc MNG.L , Prudential
PRU.L , Reckitt Benckiser RB.L , Schroders SDR.L and Standard Life Aberdeen
SLA.L will trade without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-out on
Thursday, trimming 7.7 points off the FTSE 100 according to Reuters
calculations. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE ended 0.6% higher on Wednesday as the
exporter-heavy index benefited from a slightly weaker pound, while a drop in
Hochschild Mining's share put pressure on the mid-cap FTSE 250. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
John Laing Group JLG.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
Premier Oil PMO.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
Antofagasta ANTO.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
Frasers Group FRAS.L Full Year Earnings
Bank of Georgia Group BGEO.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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