Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 3 points higher at 6,048
on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.
* HSBC: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday renewed criticism of British bank
HSBC HSBA.L for its reported treatment of customers linked with the pro-democracy movement in
Hong Kong, saying China was "bullying" the United Kingdom. * CAR PRODUCTION: British car production rose sharply in July but is still well below last
year's level after manufacturing almost completely stopped in April at the start of the
coronavirus lockdown, industry figures showed on Thursday. * JOBS: Britain's services firms haemorrhaged jobs in the three months to August, a survey
showed in the latest sign of mounting unemployment as the government's coronavirus job
protection scheme is wound down. * NICKEL: Nickel prices hit their highest since November on Friday, fueled by solid demand
from the stainless steel sector and concerns over supply from top producer Indonesia. MET/L
* GOLD: Gold prices fell on Thursday, following a sharp rise in the previous session, as
investors squared positions ahead of a much-awaited speech from U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman
Jerome Powell. GOL/
* OIL: Oil prices were in a holding pattern on Thursday as a massive storm in the Gulf of
Mexico raced towards the heart of the U.S. oil industry, forcing oil rigs and refineries to
shut, with little impact expected on supply as oil stockpiles remain high. O/R
* The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed up just 0.1%, struggling to build on a strong start
to the week as more signs of a sluggish economic rebound overshadowed optimism around COVID-19
vaccines and U.S.-China trade. .L
* UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC RR.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
WPP PLC WPP.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
Hays PLC HAYS.L Full Year 2020 Earnings
Diploma PLC DPLM.L Q3 Trading Statement
Hunting PLC HTG.L Half Year 2020 Earnings
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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> Other business headlines PRESS/GB