Jan 20 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 23 points higher at 6,736 on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers.
* LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE: London Stock Exchange LSE.L said on Tuesday that it should complete its $27 billion acquisition of Refinitiv on Jan. 29. JD WETHERSPOON: JD Wetherspoon JDW.L plans to raise up to $128 million in its second cash call from investors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES GROUP: International Airlines Group ICAG.L has agreed to buy Spain's Air Europa for 500 million euros under an amended deal, the companies said. BHP: BHP Group Ltd BHP.AX , BHP.L forecast record iron ore production for fiscal 2021, as it looks to cash in on high prices for the commodity following restart of its Brazilian operations. FRASERS: Frasers FRAS.L said it has increased its stake in Hugo Boss BOSSn.DE to 15.2% through stocks and derivatives. ECONOMY: Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane said he expected Britain's economy to begin to recover "at a rate of knots" from the second quarter of this year, as vaccines against COVID-19 are rolled out. MARKETS: EU Financial Services Commissioner Mairead McGuinness said Brussels would not grant Britain's financiers access to the bloc before assessing the risks to financial stability. GOLD: Gold prices rose as expectations for a massive U.S. stimulus to help it recover from the coronavirus jolt bolstered bullion's appeal as an inflation hedge and pressured the dollar. OIL: Oil prices rose on expectations the incoming U.S. administration will go ahead with massive stimulus spending that would boost fuel demand and draw down crude stocks. The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.1% lower on Tuesday as Ladbrokes (LON:LCL) owner Entain slumped after U.S. casino operator MGM opted out of a $11 billion takeover plan, while miners also dragged. UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Antofagasta Plc
Quarterly Production Burberry Group Plc
Trading Statement Cairn Energy Plc
Trading Statement City of London Investment Trust
Trading Statement CMC (NS:CMC) Markets Plc
Trading Statement Diploma Plc
Trading Statement WH Smith Plc
Trading Statement Hochschild Mining Plc
Quarterly Production Dixons Carphone Plc
Trading Statement
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