Feb 24 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening down 4 points at 7267 on Friday, according to financial bookmakers.
* The UK blue chip index .FTSE closed 0.4 percent lower at 7271.37 on Thursday, depressed by Barclays BARC.L stock after the bank reported earnings, by mining sector shares and those trading ex-dividend. PURPLEBRICKS: Shares in Purplebricks Group Plc PURP.L rose as much as 19 percent on Thursday after the British online real estate agent said it would enter the U.S. market, having built a leading position in a fragmented industry at home. SHELL: Argentina's state-run oil company YPF SA YPFD.BA said it reached a preliminary deal with Royal Dutch Shell Plc RDSa.L on Thursday to develop oil and gas assets in the Vaca Muerta shale field, involving a $300 million investment from Shell. 3I: Investment company 3i III.L said it was looking to conclude the sale of the struggling lingerie brand Agent Provocateur over concerns that the business could face a cash crunch next week after staff are paid, Sky News reported. OIL: U.S. oil prices fell on Friday after government data released late in the previous session showed stockpiles rose last week for a seventh straight week, although losses were muted as inventory growth was well below expectations. GOLD: Gold prices held steady on Friday near 3-1/2-month highs hit in the previous session following tempered expectations of a U.S. rate hike in March, and as investors awaited clarity on President Donald Trump's economic policy. XAU= For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?pageId=livemarkets
* UK CORPORATE DIARY:
Industrial Multi Property Trust Plc
IMPT.L Full Year 2016 Earnings Jupiter Fund Management Plc
Full Year 2016 Earnings IMI Plc
Full Year 2016 Earnings Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate Plc KWE.L
Full Year 2016 Earnings Pearson Plc
PSON.L Full Year 2016 Earnings Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc
Full Year 2016 Earnings William Hill Plc
Full Year 2016 Earnings Coats Group Plc
<COA.L
Full Year 2016 Earnings Standard Life Plc
Full Year 2016 Earnings Rightmove Plc
Full Year 2016 Earnings Standard Chartered Plc
STAN.L Full Year 2016 Earnings
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