July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is

seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures up 0.2%.

* LSEG: The London Stock Exchange Group ( LDNXF ) announced a

share buyback of up to 1 billion pounds ($1.33 billion) for the

second half.

* SHELL: Shell's adjusted earnings reached $4.264

billion in the second quarter.

* UNILEVER ( UL ): Dove soap maker Unilever ( UL ) beat market

expectations for second-quarter underlying sales growth and said

it would retain a less than 20% stake in its ice cream business

for up to five years after its spin off.

* BAT: British American Tobacco ( BTI ) reported a 1.7%

rise in first-half profit at constant currency, beating

expectations.

* SCHRODERS ( SHNWF ): Schroders' ( SHNWF ) posted lower than expected

outflows of client cash and forecast-beating operating profit in

first-half results.

* ROLLS-ROYCE: Rolls-Royce raised its full-year

outlook for both operating profit and free cash flow.

* ST JAMES'S PLACE: St James's Place said its

half-year net inflows doubled to 3.8 billion pounds ($5.04

billion).

* HALEON ( HLN ): Haleon ( HLN ) lowered its annual organic revenue

growth forecast to 3.5%.

* NEXT: Next raised its annual profit outlook for

the third time in five months.

* JUST GROUP: Brookfield Wealth Solutions ( BNT ) has agreed

to a 2.4 billion pound ($3.18 billion) takeover bid for British

insurer Just Group.

* DRAX GROUP ( DRXGF ): Drax Group ( DRXGF ) reported a fall of around

11% in its first-half adjusted core profit.

* PETS AT HOME: Pets At Home lowered its annual

profit forecast.

* COMMODITIES: Oil prices steadied, gold prices rebounded,

and copper prices were rangebound on Thursday.

* EX-DIVS: Lloyds Banking Group ( LYG ) will trade without

entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday.

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please

click on:

TODAY'S UK PAPERS

> Financial Times

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(Compiled by Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru)