UK Stocks - Factors to watch on Aug 28

LONDON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index .FTSE is seen opening
6-11 points higher on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, having closed
up 57.4 points, or 1.1 percent at 5,528.1 in the previous session.
Heavyweight oil companies may feature during opening trade, as U.S. crude
rose for a fourth straight day, above $119 a barrel, on fears Tropical Storm
Gustav may hit the Gulf of Mexico.
With gold prices also climbing, miners may help support the index, while
financials could receive a boost after U.S. stocks rose overnight as investors
grew more confident that Fannie Mae (FNM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Freddie Mac (FRE.N: Quote, Profile, Research) will not
require a government bailout that would wipe out their equity.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei .N225 was flat.

"Expect the miners to be back in focus as the day progresses with earnings
news from Kazakhmys due although the sector has already had a decent run of
late," said Matt Buckland, a dealer at CMC Markets. "Amongst the smaller cap
stocks, sub prime specialist Cattles is also due to report interims which given
the economic outlook could prove rather telling."

On the macro front, Nationwide UK house price data for August, German
unemployment and U.S. inflation and GDP data will be eyed by many investors.

* US STOCKS-Strong US data, financials drive higher [ID:nN27493375]

* Oil rises for 4th day towards $119 on storm fears [ID:nSP143150]

* Nikkei up 0.1 pct, Ricoh gains on acquisition plan [ID:nT18808]

* FOREX-Dollar slips against euro as oil, GSE worries weigh [ID:nT42465]

* TREASURIES-Dip in Asia on hope for Fannie, Freddie [ID:nT40925]

UK stocks to watch on Thursday are:

BP (BP.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

BP is conducting secret, high-level negotiations with the Russia-connected
billionaires who co-own its troubled Russian venture TNK-BP and an outline deal
to settle their dispute may come in weeks, a source familiar with the matter
told Reuters. [ID:nLR71194]

BRITISH LAND (BLND.L: Quote, Profile, Research), ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND (RBS.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

Stephen Hester, the chief executive of British Land, has emerged as a
candidate to succeed Sir Fred Goodwin as the head of Royal Bank of Scotland
after being appointed to the bank's board as a non-executive director, reported
the Financial Times.

Also, John McFarlane, the former chief executive of ANZ Bank, emerged
yesterday as a front-runner to succeed Sir Tom McKillop as chairman of RBS,
reported the Times.

TESCO (TSCO.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The United Food and Commercial Workers Union increased pressure on Tesco's
U.S. operations by reporting the retailing giant's American ready meal supplier
to a labour-relations tribunal on Wednesday, reported the Independent.

BRITISH ENERGY (BGY.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The UK government want a deal between British Energy and EDF (EDF.PA: Quote, Profile, Research)
hammered out within the next two weeks, reported the Daily Telegraph.

STANDARD CHARTERED (STAN.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

Private equity firm CVC Capital and Standard Chartered's buyout unit are
seeking potential buyers for Singapore's Amtek Engineering, according to sources
familiar with the matter. [ID:nHKG305579]

MARKS & SPENCER (MKS.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

A M&S worker who allegedly "blew the whistle" on the retailer's plans to cut
redundancy terms for more than 60,000 staff has been suspended and faces
disciplinary action by the retailer, reported the Daily Telegraph.

DIAGEO (DGE.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to announce its preliminary earnings.

FERREXPO (FXPO.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

KAZAKHMYS (KAZ.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

AMEC (AMEC.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

PREMIER OIL (PMO.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

PREMIER FOODS (PFD.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

SAVILLS (SVS.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

CATTLES (CTT.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

COMPUTACENTER (CCC.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

HIKMA PHARMACEUTICALS (HIK.L: Quote, Profile, Research)

The firm is due to issue an interim earnings release.

TODAY'S UK PAPERS

> Financial Times [PRESS/FT]

> Other business headlines [PRESS/GB]

(Reporting by Michael Taylor)