Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 47 points lower at 6,233 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers. * ASTRAZENECA: Argentina and Mexico will produce the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for most of Latin America, Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said on Wednesday. * AIRLINES: Southwest Airlines Co, Ryanair Holdings Plc and easyJet Plc are the only three airlines whose bonds are still rated investment grade, S&P Global Ratings said. * OIL: Crude oil prices eased slightly but held most of their gains from the previous session after U.S. government data showed a fall in inventories. * GOLD: Gold climbed 1% on a softer dollar, consolidating further above the key $1,900 level, with an ultra-low interest rate environment and worries over global economic fallout from mounting COVID-19 cases. * EX-DIVS: Ashtead Group, Aviva, Astrazeneca, BP , Diageo, Glaxosmithkline, Legal&General, Phoenix Group, Pearson, Royal Dutch Shell, Segro and Smurfit Kappa will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday, trimming 22.4 points off the FTSE 100, according to Reuters calculations. * The UK blue-chip index jumped 2% on Wednesday as investors focused on signs of a recovery in economic output in June, shrugging off a record 20.4% plunge in the second quarter, the largest contraction reported by any major economy. * UK CORPORATE DIARY: National Express Group HY Earnings Releases Renishaw FY Earnings Releases Coats Group HY Earnings Releases Just Group HY Earnings Releases GVC Holdings Interim Results * For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines (Reporting by Tapanjana Rudra)

China and Russia are among countries willing to use coronavirus to their advantage, MPs say.

China and Russia are among countries willing to use coronavirus to their advantage, MPs say.

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Flooding, damage to buildings, travel disruption and power cuts are expected in several regions.

Flooding, damage to buildings, travel disruption and power cuts are expected in several regions.

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

News, analysis and comment from the Financial Times, the worldʼs leading global business publication

Positivity rate up slightly.

Heatwave continues to cause disruption as flooding and storm warnings issued