Oct 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 8 points lower at 7,253
on Thurday, according to financial bookmakers.
* METRO BANK: Britain's troubled Metro Bank MTRO.L reported a loss for the third quarter, said its chairman Vernon Hill has stepped down two months early, and warned it may have to curb its growth plans as it battles to recover from an accounting scandal.
* RECKITT BENCKISER: New York and five other states have reached a $700 million settlement deal with Reckitt Benckiser RB.L over allegations that the drug distributor improperly marketed a drug to treat opioid addiction, New York Attorney General Letitia James said on Wednesday.
* GLAXOSMITHKLINE/ASTRAZENECA: GlaxoSmithKline GSK.L said U.S. regulators had approved its ovarian cancer treatment Zejula for wider use in some advanced cancers, in a boost to the British drugmaker's oncology portfolio as it competes with rival AstraZeneca AZN.L.
* GOLD: Gold held ground above $1,490 per ounce on Thursday as investors awaited clarity on Brexit after the European Union delayed a decision on granting an extension to Britain, and the U.S. central bank policy meeting for clues on the interest rate trajectory.
* OIL: Oil prices dipped on Thursday after sharp gains in the previous session following a surprise draw in U.S. crude inventories, with concerns over a weak demand outlook adding to downward pressure.
* EX-DIVS: Ferguson FERG.L, ITV ITV.L will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday, trimming 1.4 points off the FTSE 100 according to Reuters calculations.
* The UK blue chip index closed 0.7% higher on Wednesday as oil majors tracked gains in crude prices and miners .FTNMX1770 benefited from a rise in nickel and copper prices.
* UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Evraz Plc
EVRE.L
Q3 trading update
RDI Reit Plc
RDI.L
FY earnings release
Polymetal International Plc
POLYP.L
Q3 production results
AstraZeneca Plc
AZN.L
Q3 earnings release
Kaz Minerals Plc
KAZ.L
Q3 production report
RPS Group Plc
RPS.L
Q3 trading statement
Kaz Minerals Plc
KAZ.L
Interim management statement
Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc
RBS.L
Interim management statement
Relx Plc
REL.L
Q3 trading statement
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times PRESS/FT > Other business headlines PRESS/GB
(Reporting by Samantha Machado in Bengaluru)
((Samantha.machado@thomsonreuters.com; Within UK +44 20 7542 1810; Outside UK +918067499956; Reuters Messaging: Samantha.machado@thomsonreuters.com))
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
