European Factors to Watch-Equity futures fall

(ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon - see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development. See the bottom of the report)

LONDON, June 16 (Reuters) - European equity futures fell on Thursday, with the region's stock markets set to resume a losing streak that has pushed a key European equity index down to a near four-month low as concerns linger over Britain's vote next week on its European Union membership.

Futures on the Euro STOXX 50 STXEc1 , Germany's DAX FDXc1 , France's CAC FCEc1 and Britain's FTSE FFIc1 were all down by between 1.2-1.7 percent.

U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday, with the U.S Federal Reserve having lowered its economic growth forecast and signalling it still planned two rate increases this year, even though the Fed put off an immediate rate hike. Reserve Chair Janet Yellen acknowledged that Britain's possible exit from the European Union was one of the factors in the latest rate decision, saying the June 23 referendum would have "consequences for economic and financial conditions in global financial markets."

Worries about Britain exiting the EU, dubbed as "Brexit", have hit markets in recent weeks, with the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 falling to its lowest level in nearly fourth months earlier this week.

Asian stocks also turned lower on Thursday while the yen surged after the Bank of Japan refrained from taking further stimulus steps. MKTS/GLOB

COMPANY NEWS:

AIRBUS:

Airbus AIR.PA faces a challenge to meet delivery targets for the A350 jet this year due to problems with suppliers, the head of the European planemaker said in remarks published on Wednesday. equipment giant ASML Holdings NV ASML.AS has agreed to buy Taiwanese peer Hermes Microvision Inc (HMI) 3658.TWO for about T$100 billion ($3.1 billion) in a deal to boost their firepower in high-tech services for semiconductor makers. SUISSE/UBS:

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) said on Thursday the country's two biggest banks, UBS UBSG.S and Credit Suisse CSGN.S , will likely each need to raise an extra 10 billion Swiss francs ($10.4 billion) in capital to meet new leverage requirements. SAB.MC said it has been in touch with Banco Popular POP.MC and other banks in Spain over a potential merger, but no formal talks took place AEROSPACE:

French aerospace equipment maker Zodiac Aerospace ZODC.PA was engulfed in fresh takeover speculation after a media reported aircraft engine maker Safran SAF.PA was preparing a bid, though one source denied the report. GLOBAL-MARKETS-Asia stocks down, yen surges after BOJ refrains from offering more stimulus MKTS/GLOB

> US STOCKS-Wall St falls as Fed holds steady and Brexit vote looms .N

> Japan's Nikkei share average falls to 4-month low after BOJ .T

> TREASURIES-Yields fall after Fed keeps rates unchanged, cuts growth forecast US/N

> FOREX-Dollar slides vs yen after BOJ holds off from easing FRX/

> PRECIOUS-Gold tops $1,300 after Fed's cautious outlook GOL/

> METALS-Copper steady after biggest jump since March on cautious Fed MET/L

> Oil futures down on U.S. stockpile report, Brexit concern O/R

ADVISORY- Reuters plans to replace intra-day European and UK stock market reports with a Live Markets blog on Eikon (see cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets for site in development). In a real-time, multimedia format from 0600 London time through the 1630 closing bell, it will include the best of our market reporting, Stocks Buzz service, Eikon graphics, Reuters pictures, eye-catching research and market zeitgeist. Breaking news and dramatic market moves will continue to be alerted to all clients and we will continue to provide a short opening story and comprehensive closing reports.

If you have any thoughts, suggestions or feedback on this, please email mike.dolan@thomsonreuters.com.

Mike Dolan, Markets Editor EMEA.