UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 30

July 30 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 15 points higher at 6,147 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers.

* STANDARD CHARTERED: Standard Chartered PLC STAN.L posted a 33% fall in its first-half profit, as the bank boosted its credit impairment charges by six-fold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn. FINANCE: More small British companies that were in financial difficulty before the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to access government-backed loans following a relaxation of European Union state aid rules. AUTOMOBILE: British car production fell by more than an annual 40% in the first half of the year to the lowest level since 1954. OIL: Oil prices were little changed, restrained by concerns that surging coronavirus infections could jeopardize a recovery in fuel demand just as major oil producers are set to raise output. GOLD: Gold eased after the U.S. Federal Reserve's vow to support the coronavirus-ravaged economy buoyed risk sentiment. The UK blue-chip index .FTSE FTSE 100 ended flat on Wednesday as investors held out for more stimulus from the U.S. Congress and the Federal Reserve, while GlaxoSmithKline, Barclays (LON: BARC ) and Taylor Wimpey (LON: TW ) slid on weak quarterly earnings. UK CORPORATE DIARY: