Oct 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 8 points
lower at 7,253
on Thurday, according to financial bookmakers.
* METRO BANK: Britain's troubled Metro Bank MTRO.L reported a loss for the
third quarter, said its chairman Vernon Hill has stepped down two months early,
and warned it may have to curb its growth plans as it battles to recover from an
accounting scandal. * RECKITT BENCKISER: New York and five other states have reached a $700
million settlement deal with Reckitt Benckiser RB.L over allegations that the
drug distributor improperly marketed a drug to treat opioid addiction, New York
Attorney General Letitia James said on Wednesday. * GLAXOSMITHKLINE/ASTRAZENECA: GlaxoSmithKline GSK.L said U.S. regulators
had approved its ovarian cancer treatment Zejula for wider use in some advanced
cancers, in a boost to the British drugmaker's oncology portfolio as it competes
with rival AstraZeneca AZN.L . * GOLD: Gold held ground above $1,490 per ounce on Thursday as investors
awaited clarity on Brexit after the European Union delayed a decision on
granting an extension to Britain, and the U.S. central bank policy meeting for
clues on the interest rate trajectory. * OIL: Oil prices dipped on Thursday after sharp gains in the previous
session following a surprise draw in U.S. crude inventories, with concerns over
a weak demand outlook adding to downward pressure. * EX-DIVS: Ferguson FERG.L , ITV ITV.L will trade without entitlement to
its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday, trimming 1.4 points off the FTSE 100
according to Reuters calculations.
* The UK blue chip index closed 0.7% higher on Wednesday as oil majors
tracked gains in crude prices and miners .FTNMX1770 benefited from a rise in
nickel and copper prices. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Evraz Plc EVRE.L Q3 trading update
RDI Reit Plc RDI.L FY earnings release
Polymetal International Plc POLYP.L Q3 production results
AstraZeneca Plc AZN.L Q3 earnings release
Kaz Minerals Plc KAZ.L Q3 production report
RPS Group Plc RPS.L Q3 trading statement
Kaz Minerals Plc KAZ.L Interim management statement
Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc RBS.L Interim management statement
Relx Plc REL.L Q3 trading statement
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