UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Sept. 24

(Adds company news items, futures)
Sept 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 50
points lower at 5,849 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, with
futures down 1.21% ahead of cash market open.
* CINEWORLD: British cinema operator Cineworld CINE.L swung to a loss and
said it may have to raise additional liquidity if it is pushed to shut its
theatres again from government curbs on social gathering. * MITCHELLS & BUTLERS: Mitchells & Butlers MAB.L said total sales for 51
weeks ended Sept. 19 fell 35%, due to store closures and sharp slump in demand
amid widespread COVID-19 restrictions. * SIG: SIG Plc SHI.L posted a first-half loss of 53.7 million pounds due
to the coronavirus hit to construction activity, but the building materials
supplier said its 2020 revenue would be modestly higher than prior forecast.
* SMITHS GROUP: Smiths Group SMIN.L reported a 26% fall in annual
operating profit due to higher costs and a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, while
the British engineering firm also said it would cut jobs as part of its
restructuring plan. * PETS AT HOME: British pet supplies retailer Pets At Home PETSP.L said it
expects full-year pretax profit to be materially above market estimates due to
easing lockdown restrictions. * UNITED UTILITIES: Water supplier United Utilities UU.L warned of lower
first-half revenue due to lower consumption by businesses during the COVID-19
pandemic and allowed regulatory revenue changes. * GO-AHEAD: UK transport operator Go-Ahead GOG.L posted profits for the
12-months to 27 June slightly ahead of its guidance, and said that after the
pandemic it was starting to run 90% of its services again. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed up 1.2% on Wednesday, after Prime
Minister Boris Johnson said the government had a "massive" package to protect
jobs, offsetting concerns over new restrictions brought in to curb a resurgence
in COVID-19 cases. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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