UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Aug 20

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 88 points lower at 6,024 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.

* IHG: French hotels group Accor ACCP.PA has examined a merger with British peer InterContinental Hotels Group Plc IHG.L , Le Figaro newspaper reported on its website. CENTRICA: Members of the GMB union have voted for industrial action against Centrica Plc's CNA.L British Gas after the utility issued "fire and rehire" threats to its workforce, the union said on Wednesday. GOLD: Gold on Thursday bounced back from the previous session's hefty losses after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised concerns that a recovery from the coronavirus-induced economic slump faced a highly uncertain path, weighing on risk sentiment. OIL: Oil prices fell as major producers warned of a risk to demand recovery if the coronavirus crisis is prolonged, while U.S. crude inventories dropped less than expected. METALS: London copper dipped, retreating from an over two-year high hit in the previous session, as a stronger U.S. dollar made metals less attractive to holders of other currencies. EX-DIVS: Anglo American AAL.L , Berkeley Group BKGH.L , Croda International CRDA.L , Evraz EVRE.L , Hikma HIK.L , Imperial Brands IMB.L , London Stock Exchange LSE.L , Mondi MNDI.L , M&G Plc MNG.L , Prudential PRU.L , Reckitt Benckiser RB.L , Schroders SDR.L and Standard Life Aberdeen SLA.L will trade without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-out on Thursday, trimming 7.7 points off the FTSE 100 according to Reuters calculations. The UK blue-chip index .FTSE ended 0.6% higher on Wednesday as the exporter-heavy index benefited from a slightly weaker pound, while a drop in Hochschild Mining's share put pressure on the mid-cap FTSE 250 . UK CORPORATE DIARY: