UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Feb 26

Feb 26 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 45 points lower at 7,139, on Tuesday, according to financial bookmakers.

* LAURA ASHLEY: Investment firm Flacks Group said on Monday it was in the preliminary stages of evaluating a possible deal to buy Laura Ashley Holdings Plc ALY.L , valuing the British fashion retailer at 20 million pounds ($26.16 million). ROLLS ROYCE: Britain's government on Monday said it had awarded Rolls Royce RR.L a 235 million-pound ($307 million) contract to maintain nuclear submarines. Gold: Palladium hit a record high on Tuesday, surging above $1,550 as a threatened strike by South African mineworkers added to supply risk concerns in an already tight market, while gold prices edged up on a subdued dollar. OIL: Oil prices slipped on Tuesday, extending losses of more than 3 percent during the previous session, after U.S. President Donald Trump called on OPEC to ease its efforts to boost the market. The UK blue chip index closed 0.07 percent up at 7183.74 on Monday, as banks got a boost from comments about a possible Brexit delay, while housebuilders were hit by reports the government was worried about Persimmon 's handling of a state house-funding scheme. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

* UK CORPORATE DIARY: Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group

JLT.L

Full year result Derwent London

DLN.L

Full year result Devro

DVO.L

Full year result Fresnillo

FRES.L Full year result Croda

CRDA.L Full year result Persimmon

PSN.L

Full year result Standard Chartered Plc

STAN.L Full year result Surface Transforms Plc