UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 31

July 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 futures FFIc1 are marginally down on Wednesday.

* ROLLS-ROYCE: Indian federal police have opened an investigation into Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc RR.L , alleging the UK-based engine maker and its Indian arm improperly used a third-party to conduct business with three Indian state-owned companies. LLOYDS BANKING: Britain's Lloyds Banking Group LLOY.L is in exclusive talks to buy a 3.7 billion pound mortgage book from supermarket giant Tesco's TSCO.L banking arm, Sky News reported on Tuesday. OIL: Oil prices rose for a fifth day on Wednesday, buoyed by a bigger-than-expected drop in U.S. inventories and as investors awaited a widely expected cut in interest rates by the Federal Reserve, the first in more than 10 years. GOLD: Gold prices inched down on Wednesday as the dollar held firm, while investors waited on the outcome of the Federal Reserve's meeting later in the day when policymakers are expected to cut interest rates. London's FTSE 100 index ended lower on Tuesday, giving up earlier gains as the mood soured in response to worries over U.S.-China trade and as major British banks fell after the Bank of England issued a new plan to handle potential banking crises. For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

* UK CORPORATE DIARY:

Restore Plc

RSTP.L

Half Year Earnings Release Rentokil Initial

RTO.L

Half Year Earnings Release 4imprint Group

FOUR.L

Half Year Earnings Release Serco Group

SRP.L

Half Year Earnings Release Travis Perkins

TPK.L

Half Year Earnings Release St. James's Place