UK Stocks-Factors to watch on August 21 (updated)
UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on August 21 Adds news items, updates futures
Aug 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE was up 0.03% in early trading on Friday.
* SPIRE HEALTHCARE: Spire Healthcare SPI.L extended, for the fifth time, the deadline for Toscafund Asset Management to make a formal takeover offer for the private hospital operator to September 3.
* HUNTING: Hunting HTG.L lowered its annual core profit forecast amid delays to a major Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) tender process, despite an anticipated recovery in the second half.
* BORROWING: Britain's government recorded a budget deficit of £1.8 billion in July, the Office for National Statistics said.
* RETAIL SALES: British retail sales fell back as expected in July after a surge in June when hot weather boosted demand for fans and air conditioners and supermarkets offered promotions alongside the men's soccer World Cup, official figures showed.
* CONSUMER SENTIMENT: British consumer morale jumped to a two-year high this month as households became more confident about making major purchases, a survey showed.
* OIL: Oil prices fell slightly, but were on track for a second weekly rise as the stalemated U.S.-Iran war continues to disrupt supply from the key Middle East producing region.
* GOLD: Gold prices edged higher and were on track for a third consecutive weekly gain, supported by a weaker dollar and the U.S. Treasury's bond buyback move.
* METALS: Copper rose as the dollar weakened, but was headed for its first weekly decline in eight weeks, with London Metal Exchange inventories climbing and nearby price spreads narrowing sharply during the week.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB
(Compiled by Neeshita Beura in Bengaluru)