UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 5

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May 5 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 39 points higher at 6,962 on Wednesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures FFIc1 seen up 0.64% ahead of cash market open.

* ITV: ITV ITV.L said its advertising revenue was rebounding from the COVID-19 hit last year, with April up 68%, May expected to be up about 85% and June up between 85% and 90%. SIG: SIG SHI.L said it expects to deliver an underlying operating profit in the first half of 2021, returning to profitability earlier than expected. CRODA: Croda International CRDA.L announced a strategic review of two of its businesses, evaluating options including a full or partial sale. DIRECT LINE: Direct Line DLGD.L reported a 4.7% fall in gross written premiums in the first quarter. HISCOX: Hiscox HSX.L recorded a 6.3% rise in gross written premiums to 1.26 billion pounds in the first quarter. VIRGIN MONEY: Virgin Money (LON: VM ) VMUK.L reported improved half-year earnings, after setting aside less cash to cover pandemic-driven loan losses. BOOHOO: Boohoo BOOH.L reported a 37% jump in full-year core earnings. TESCO: Tesco TSCO.L has agreed to increase healthy food options at operations in Europe as well as Britain to appease investors who had filed a landmark shareholder resolution to force the issue. SHELL: HollyFrontier Corp HFC.N said on Tuesday it would buy a 149,000 barrel per day refinery in Washington from Shell RDSa.L as part of the European company's strategy to reduce its global refinery footprint. FINANCE: Deliveroo's ROO.L poor public debut in March has not put off other companies from listing in London, Britain's financial services minister said on Tuesday. AUTOS: British new car sales posted a 30-fold increase in April, according to preliminary data. GOLD: Gold prices ticked up, lifted by a retreat in the dollar, although gains were kept in check after U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said interest rates may need to rise. OIL: Oil prices rose after industry data indicated U.S. crude stocks fell much more than expected last week. The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed 0.7% lower on Tuesday as a drop in bond yields across Europe dragged financials stocks down. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/