(Adds futures and news items)
Jan 29 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 88
points lower at 6,438 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures
.FFIc1 down 1.38% ahead of cash market open.
* BOOHOO: Boohoo BOOH.L confirmed it was in exclusive talks with the
administrators of Philip Green's collapsed Arcadia group over the purchase of
the Dorothy Perkins, Wallis and Burton brands. * CARD FACTORY: Card Factory Plc CARDC.L said its bankers had granted
waivers for its expected covenant breaches until Feb. 28, adding that it would
explore a range of potential solutions, including further waiver
extensions. * DR. MARTENS: Classic boot brand Dr. Martens said it had priced its initial
public offering at 370 pence a share, giving it a market value of 3.7 billion
pounds when it starts trading later on Friday. * NOVACYT: Clinical diagnostics group Novacyt ALNOV.PA , NCYT.L reported
strong sales and profit for 2020 and said demand for its COVID-19 products
remains strong. * ASTRAZENECA: The European Union's contract with AstraZeneca AZN.L for
its COVID-19 vaccine contains binding orders, EU Commision head Ursula von der
Leyen said, as the bloc continues to press the drugmaker to deliver supplies as
promised. * GOLD: Gold prices traded in a tight range, but prices were on track to
post a weekly and monthly decline as a stronger dollar took some shine off the
precious metal. * OIL: Oil prices were steady, sticking to ranges seen over the past three
weeks, as investors looked for signs of changing supply and demand
fundamentals. * The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.6% lower on Thursday as energy
stocks tracked commodity prices lower following virus and lockdown-led demand
worries. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:
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