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 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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