UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Feb 28

Feb 28 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 <.FTSE index> is seen opening 12 points lower at 7,096 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.

* PREMIER FOODS: Premier Foods Plc PFD.L said on Wednesday it would review options after talks with its top shareholders. INTERSERVE: Interserve IRV.L doubled the stake existing shareholders will retain in the British outsourcer to five percent on Wednesday as it set out details of a debt-for-equity deal with lenders aimed at averting a collapse like that of rival Carillion. MARKS AND SPENCER: Britain's Marks and Spencer MKS.L and Ocado OCDO.L launched an online food joint venture on Wednesday, belatedly giving M&S a home-delivery service while netting $1 billion for its fast-growing technology providing partner. METRO BANK: The chief executive of crisis-hit Metro Bank MTRO.L said there were "absolutely no question marks" over the future of the lender after a major accounting blunder triggered a hefty investor cash call, sending its shares into a tailspin. GOLD: Gold prices on Thursday held near two-week lows touched in the previous session as the dollar rebounded after cautious comments from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer stoked concerns over progress in U.S.-China trade talks. OIL: Oil prices dipped on Thursday, dragged down by weakening factory output in China and Japan and record U.S. crude output, although markets remained relatively well supported by supply cuts led by producer club OPEC. EX-DIVS: AstraZeneca AZN.L , Barclays BARC.L , Diageo DGE.L , easyJet EZJ.L and Micro Focus MCRO.L will trade without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-out on Thursday, trimming 13.9 points off the FTSE 100 according to Reuters calculations The UK blue chip index closed 0.61 percent down at 7101.20 on Wednesday as Marks & Spencer tumbled after announcing a rights issue to fund an online food joint venture with Ocado, while plans for a cash call knocked Metro Bank to an all-time low. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

* UK CORPORATE DIARY: Bovis Homes

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INCH.L

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HTG.L

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HSTG.L

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SPI.L

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VSVS.L

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Half year result British American Tobacco (JO:SNHJ) BATS.L

Full year result Merlin Entertainments

MERL.L

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UKWG.L

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AVN.L

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HWDN.L

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