(Adds news items, futures)
Oct 2 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 16 points lower at
5,863 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures FFIc1 seen
down 0.9% ahead of cash market open.
* CENTAMIN: Centamin Plc CEY.L forecast a fall in annual production after
the gold miner delayed its open-pit mining operations at its key Sukari mine in
Egypt. * DRAPER ESPRIT: London-based venture capital firm Draper Esprit GROW.L
said on Thursday it plans to raise 100 million pounds ($128.65 million) in
equity to invest in digital transition opportunities brought on by the COVID-19
pandemic. * IAG: British Airways owner IAG ICAG.L announced the results of its
2.74-billion-euro capital increase, saying on Thursday that it sold 100% of the
new shares in its plan to help strengthen its pandemic-hit finances.
* GOLD: Gold was headed on Friday for its best weekly gain in nearly two
months, despite prices slipping from a more than one-week high as the dollar
strengthened amid doubts regarding the U.S. stimulus package. * OIL: Oil prices extended losses to more than 3% on Friday after U.S.
President Donald Trump said he had tested positive for the coronavirus, while a
U.S. stimulus package eluded negotiators amid ongoing worries about
demand. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed up 0.2% on Thursday on hopes of more
U.S. stimulus and signs that the British government would not impose another
sweeping national lockdown, but a slide in oil stocks capped gains. * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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($1 = 0.7773 pounds)