Jan 7 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 45 points
higher at 6,886 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.
* BP: BP Plc BP.L has given the operator of a Caribbean refinery more time
to fully restart and retain its crude oil supply agreement after the plant
failed to hit operating targets last year. BP also paid almost $24.4 million to
the U.S. Treasury to cover allegations company traders manipulated natural gas
markets in 2008, but is still challenging the fine in
court. * MARKS & SPENCER: British retailer Marks & Spencer MKS.L said Britain's
withdrawal from European Union trade rules last week was responsible for
near-empty fresh-food aisles at some of its stores in Ireland on
Wednesday. * CENTRICA: The GMB union said on Wednesday its members at Centrica 's
CNA.L British Gas will start a five-day strike from 0001 GMT on
Thursday. * COVID-19: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won parliament's backing
for England's latest lockdown on Wednesday after telling lawmakers that schools
would be the first to reopen when he can start a "gradual unwrapping" of the
strict measures. * GOLD: Gold prices edged lower as firmer Treasury yields eclipsed support
from a Democrat sweep in Georgia Senate runoffs that boosted hopes for more
stimulus. * OIL: Oil prices rose as Saudi Arabia unilaterally agreed to cut output
over the next two months and as U.S. crude stockpiles fell. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 3.5% higher on Wednesday led by
banking and energy stocks as investors bet on more U.S. stimulus and crude oil
prices jumped after Saudi Arabia agreed to cut more output than
expected. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Mitchells & Butlers Plc MAB.L Q1 trading update
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