UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 2 (updated)
UPDATE 1-UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 2 Adds items and updates futures
July 2 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.2%.
* GENEL ENERGY: Genel Energy GENL.L will acquire Britain's Capricorn Energy CNE.L for $360 million in an all-cash deal, the companies said.
* CURRYS: Currys said trading in the early part of its new financial year has been "very solid" as it reported an 18% rise in profit for 2025/26.* MEMORY CHIPS: Global shortages of memory chips will mean some price rises for consumer electrical products, the boss of British retailer Currys said.
* CRYPTO: Robinhood plans to launch crypto trading in the UK and broadened its perpetual futures offering in Europe beyond cryptocurrencies.
* RATE CUTS: The Bank of England is not in a position to consider cutting interest rates, Governor Andrew Bailey said.
* OIL: Oil prices dropped about 1%, down for a third consecutive day, after Qatar said Iran and the U.S. had made progress in indirect talks focused on the Strait of Hormuz.
* GOLD: Gold prices rose, supported by softer than expected jobs data and lower oil prices.
* METALS: Aluminium edged up, supported by signs of strength in the manufacturing sector.
* EX-DIVS: JD Sports Fashion JD.L , F&C Investment Trust FCIT.L, Games Workshop Group GAW.L and Next NXT.L will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday.
* The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed down 0.2% on Wednesday, with healthcare and energy shares leading declines, as investors monitored the latest setback in U.S.-Iran talks.
* 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 Anushka Chourasia in Bengaluru)