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April 20 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 15 points lower at 7,005 on Tuesday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures FFIc1 down 0.1%, ahead of the cash market open.
* AB FOODS: Associated British Foods ABF.L reported a halving in first-half profit, hurt by COVID-19 lockdowns which shuttered its Primark fashion stores. HAMMERSON: Hammerson HMSO.L named a new finance chief and said it was encouraged by a recovery in footfalls at its malls in England as the country lifted some coronavirus-related restrictions this month. JOBS: Britain's unemployment rate unexpectedly fell for a second month in a row to 4.9% in the December-to-February period, most of which the country spent under a tight COVID-19 lockdown, official figures showed. JUPITER: British firm Jupiter Fund Management JUP.L said it recorded net outflows of 776 million pounds in the first quarter, mainly due to lower client demand for UK and Europe-focused equity strategies. RIO TINTO: The global miner RIO.AX reported lower quarterly iron ore output, as wet weather and labour shortages impacted its mine and port operations in Western Australia. SUPER LEAGUE: Broadcasters who have spent billions of dollars to screen Champions League soccer have condemned the plan by top European clubs to form a breakaway Super League as a threat to the future of the game that will not succeed. ELEMENTIS: The British chemical company ELM.L got a fresh takeover bid from U.S.-based Innospec Inc IOSP.O that values it at over 1 billion pounds, Sky News reported late on Monday. BT: Italy's competition watchdog said on Monday it had started a probe over Telecom Italia 's TLIT.MI proposed acquisition of two of British telecoms group BT's BT.L business units in the country. BANKS: Britain's top banks may face action to make it easier for small businesses to open a bank account, lawmakers said on Tuesday, after companies complained about lenders as they struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic. INSURANCE: The cost of a comprehensive car insurance policy in Britain slumped 14% in the first quarter of 2021, the lowest level since 2015, as different phases of lockdowns kept motorists off the streets, a survey showed. OIL: Oil prices rose as a weaker U.S. dollar supported commodities and on expectations that crude inventories fell in the United States, the world's biggest oil user, though rising coronavirus cases in Asia capped gains. O/R
* London's FTSE 100 ended lower on Monday, dragged down by a stronger pound and as weaker oil prices weighed on energy firms. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
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