LONDON - The FTSE 100 index is seen opening fairly flat on Friday, with financial bookmakers calling it down 5 points to up 4 points, stabilising after sharp falls in the previous session.
Trading is expected to be very thin, however, as U.S. markets will be closed on Friday ahead of Independence Day.
The blue chip index ended 106.44 points lower on Thursday at 4,234.27, sliding sharply in tandem with a plunge on Wall Street after the U.S. jobs report showed non-farm payrolls falling by more than expected in June.
In the absence of much else, investors will look to the June UK service sector PMI, scheduled for release at 9:28 a.m. to provide some direction.
UK stocks to watch on Friday are:
RIO TINTO
Underwriters to global miner Rio Tinto rights issue have sold the Australian "rump" at A$48.50 each, a 6.3 percent discount to Rio's last traded price, Rio said in a statement on Friday.
BHP BILLION
The world's biggest miner, has agreed to sell its Yabulu nickel refinery to Australian mining magnate Clive Palmer for an undisclosed amount, BHP said in a statement on Friday.
BRITISH AIRWAYS