UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 31

(Adds futures, news items)
July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 12
points higher at 6,002 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers, with
futures FFIc1 up 0.6% ahead of cash markets open.

* NATWEST: NatWest Group NWG.L plunged into the red in the first half of
the year after setting aside a fresh 2.1 billion pound ($2.76 billion) provision
against a potential surge in loan losses. * LSE: The London Stock Exchange said it may consider selling part or all of
its Italian stock exchange group to help get its planned $27 billion takeover of
data and analytics group Refinitiv approved. * GLENCORE: Miner and trader Glencore GLEN.L said a stellar performance in
its trading division would see it hit the top end of guidance for the year but
posted lower production figures for its first half. * BATS: British American Tobacco BATS.L reported better-than-expected
profits, as the company sold more high-priced cigarettes and saw strong demand
for vaping products in the United States. * BT: BT BT.L , Britain's biggest broadband and mobile operator, reported a
7% drop in both revenue and core earnings in its first quarter after the
COVID-19 pandemic impacted its BT Sport television revenue. * IAG: IAG, the owner of British Airways, said it planned to raise 2.75
billion euros in a capital increase backed by its biggest shareholder Qatar
Airways, to strengthen its finances. * PETS AT HOME: Pets At Home PETSP.L posted a 1% fall in first-quarter
revenue as a lockdown-driven jump in demand for supplies faded and pet-owners
made fewer trips to the vet due to lockdown restrictions. * OIL: Oil prices recovered further ground, after touching three-week lows
in the previous session, responding to a record decline in U.S. growth.
* The UK blue-chip index .FTSE ended 2.3% lower on broad-based losses on
Thursday. Gloomy quarterly results from banks and a clutch of other firms saw
the FTSE 100 post its worst session in five weeks. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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