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Sept 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 50 points lower at 5,849 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures down 1.21% ahead of cash market open.
* CINEWORLD: British cinema operator Cineworld CINE.L swung to a loss and said it may have to raise additional liquidity if it is pushed to shut its theatres again from government curbs on social gathering. MITCHELLS & BUTLERS: Mitchells & Butlers MAB.L said total sales for 51 weeks ended Sept. 19 fell 35%, due to store closures and sharp slump in demand amid widespread COVID-19 restrictions. SIG: SIG Plc SHI.L posted a first-half loss of 53.7 million pounds due to the coronavirus hit to construction activity, but the building materials supplier said its 2020 revenue would be modestly higher than prior forecast. SMITHS GROUP: Smiths Group SMIN.L reported a 26% fall in annual operating profit due to higher costs and a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic, while the British engineering firm also said it would cut jobs as part of its restructuring plan. PETS AT HOME: British pet supplies retailer Pets At Home PETSP.L said it expects full-year pretax profit to be materially above market estimates due to easing lockdown restrictions. UNITED UTILITIES: Water supplier United Utilities UU.L warned of lower first-half revenue due to lower consumption by businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and allowed regulatory revenue changes. GO-AHEAD: UK transport operator Go-Ahead GOG.L posted profits for the 12-months to 27 June slightly ahead of its guidance, and said that after the pandemic it was starting to run 90% of its services again. The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed up 1.2% on Wednesday, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government had a "massive" package to protect jobs, offsetting concerns over new restrictions brought in to curb a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
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