June 11 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen
opening lower on Thursday, with futures down 0.4%.
* FRASERS ( SDIPF ): Frasers Group ( SDIPF ), the retailer controlled by
British billionaire Mike Ashley, launched a €2 billion takeover
offer for struggling German fashion brand Hugo Boss.
* CENTRICA ( CPYYF ): France's EDF and UK-based Centrica ( CPYYF ) are
prepared to invest about £800 million to extend the lifespan of
Britain's Sizewell B nuclear power station to 2055 from 2035, an
EDF spokesperson told Reuters.
* HOUSING: Britain's housing market remained in the doldrums
last month despite a hint that buyers might be recovering a bit
of interest, a survey showed.
* OIL: Oil prices jumped as Tehran declared the critical energy
chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, closed after the U.S. launched
additional strikes against Iran and as U.S. President Donald
Trump vowed even more attacks if no peace deal is secured.
* METALS: Copper fell as an escalation in the Middle East
conflict pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about
global economic growth.
* GOLD: Gold prices rebounded from a six-month low on
short-covering as investors awaited a key U.S. inflation report
that could shed more light on the Fed policy outlook.
* FTSE: UK's FTSE 100 closed higher on Wednesday with energy and
consumer staples stocks providing a lift, though the index
remained stuck near three-week lows as investors monitored a
fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.
* EX-DIVS: Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust ( STMZF ) and ICG
will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend
pay-out on Thursday.
* UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Wizz Air ( WZZAF ) FY results
Halma FY results
Safestore Holdings ( SFSHF ) HY results
NCC group HY results
VP Plc FY results
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please
click on:
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times
> Other business headlines
(Compiled by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru)