(Adds company news and futures)
Jan 25 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 2 points lower at 7641.6 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, with futures FFIc1 down 0.33 percent ahead of the cash market open.
* DECHRA: Veterinary firm Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc DPH.L said it would buy the Netherlands-based AST Farma and Europe-focused Le Vet for 340 million euros ($422.1 million) in a cash and share deal. GREENE KING: British pub operator Greene King Plc GNK.L on Thursday said comparable sales for its pub business for the two weeks covering Christmas and New Year's eve rose 1.6 percent. CMC (NS:CMC) MARKETS: Spreadbetting firm CMC Markets Plc CMCX.L said on Thursday its revenue per client surged 33 percent in the third quarter, as its focus on high-value clients helped offset challenges from a sector-wide regulatory clamp-down and lower levels of volatility. RESTAURANT GROUP: Britain's Restaurant Group RTN.L , the owner of the Frankie & Benny's chain, said on Thursday 2017 comparable sales fell 3 percent on challenging market conditions. ANGLO AMERICAN: Miner Anglo American AAL.L on Thursday reported a 5 percent increase in 2017 output citing improved productivity and the removal of less profitable ounces. FOXTONS: London-focussed estate agents Foxtons FOXT.L said its core earnings and revenue fell in 2017 in line with market expectations due to a slump in sales and that this year would remain challenging for the business. DIAGEO: Diageo DGE.L , the world's largest spirits company, reported a 1.7 percent increase in half-year sales on Thursday, as growth was curbed by foreign exchange rates and issues including a later Chinese New Year and a ban on selling alcohol near Indian highways. SKY: European TV group Sky SKYB.L posted a 5 percent rise in first-half revenue to 6.7 billion pounds ($9.6 billion) and said it had attracted 365,000 new customers, taking its base to 22.9 million. ASOS: British online fashion retailer ASOS ASOS.L on Thursday beat forecasts for sales growth in the key Christmas period, putting it firmly in the sector's winners' camp for festive trading. CARILLION/INSURERS: Insurers expect to pay out 31 million pounds ($44 million) in trade credit claims to suppliers hit by the collapse of British construction and outsourcing firm Carillion CLLN.L , the Association of British Insurers said on Thursday. LAMPRELL: Oil rig builder Lamprell PLC LAM.L said on Wednesday it expects full-year revenue to be at the lower end of its guidance range due to losses at its East Anglia One offshore windfarm project (EA1 project). CONGO MINING CODE: Democratic Republic of Congo's new proposed mining code, which the industry has warned will stifle investment in the copper and cobalt-rich nation, sailed through the Senate without opposition late on Wednesday. In a statement last month, several of Congo's largest mines, including projects operated by Swiss-based commodities giant Glencore GLEN.L and London-listed Randgold Resources RRS.L , said investors would look elsewhere if the code were approved by the Senate and signed into law by the president. OIL/GAS SPENDING: More global oil and gas firms expect to increase capital spending this year as confidence picks up after crude prices climbed above $70 a barrel in January for the first time in the three years, according to a survey by DNV. EX-DIVS: No FTSE 100 .FTSE companies will go ex-dividend on Thursday, although several mid-caps will go ex-div, after which investors will no longer qualify for the latest dividend payout. The UK blue chip index ended the session down 1.1 percent at a three-week low of 7,643.43 points on Wednesday as sterling was pushed to a post-Brexit-vote high by data showing that the number of people in work had surged unexpectedly. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets
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