(Adds company news items and futures)
Oct 18 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening down
nine points to 7,173 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures
down 0.55% ahead of cash markets open.
* WINCANTON/EDDIE STOBART: Wincanton Plc WIN.L said on Friday it was
mulling a possible offer for Eddie Stobart Logistics Plc ESLE.L and said it
was performing due diligence on the company and its assets. * LSE: London Stock Exchange Group LSE.L reported higher-than-expected
third-quarter income on Friday, driven by higher clearing activity. * INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP: InterContinental Hotels Group IHG.L
reported a 0.8% decline in revenue per room for the third quarter on Friday, as
the Holiday Inn-owner was hurt by protests in Hong Kong and tougher trading
conditions in the United States and China. * OIL: Oil prices fell on Friday after China, the world's largest oil
importer, recorded its weakest quarter of economic growth in nearly three
decades, dragged down by a trade dispute with the United States. * GOLD: Gold prices held above $1,490 on Friday as disappointing data from
China reinforced concerns that its trade spat with the United States had begun
taking a toll on global economies, while the Brexit deal waits for parliamentary
backing. * The UK's FTSE mid-cap stocks index .FTMC was well off its day's high and
was last trading up 0.3% on Thursday. The blue-chip exporter-heavy FTSE 100
.FTSE index rose 0.5% on sterling's reversal. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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