(Adds company news items, futures)
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 2 points
higher at 6,751 on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures up
0.15% ahead of cash market open.
* SIGNATURE AVIATION: Signature Aviation SIGSI.L said it had agreed to
sell its engine repairs business to StandardAero for $230 million, as the jet
services company seeks a leaner business and focuses on cash-generative
operations. * PLUS500: Online trading platform Plus500 Ltd PLUSP.L said its annual
core profit more than doubled, as it added a record number of new customers
buoyed by coronavirus-driven market volatility, encouraging it to set a special
dividend. * BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO: Lucky Strike maker British American Tobacco
BATS.L reported a stronger-than-expected annual profit, as consumers bought
more cigarettes during the COVID-19 pandemic. * GOLD: Gold prices extended losses for a fifth straight session, slipping
to near two-week lows as soaring U.S. Treasury yields and a firmer dollar dented
the bullion's appeal. * OIL: Bullish oil prices marked time as support from supply disruptions in
the U.S. south caused by an Arctic blast was offset by expectations that OPEC+
producers may ease their output curbs after April. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.1% lower on Tuesday after
investors took a breather after three consecutive sessions of gains, while bets
on a vaccine-led economic recovery and a jump in mining stocks helped support
the commodity -heavy index. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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