Sept 30 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower with futures FFIc1 down 0.23% on Friday.

* CAPRICORN: Capricorn Energy CNE.L plans to merge with Israel's NewMed NWMDp.TA in an all-share deal after paying a $620 million special dividend to its shareholders, ditching a previous scheme to merge with Tullow Oil TLW.L .

* JOULES: Struggling British fashion retailer Joules JOUL.L said its turnaround plan, focused on boosting profitability, was making good progress, weeks after Next NXT.L abandoned plans to inject funds into the company.

* BARCLAYS: Barclays BARC.L agreed with the U.S. SEC to pay $361 million after control failures led the bank to sell $17.7 billion of securities it was not allowed to issue.

* FCA: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has contacted lenders in the United Kingdom following the withdrawal of more than 1,600 mortgage products by most high-street lenders, the FT reported.

* JD SPORTS: Britain's biggest sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion JD.L has extended its links with Nike Inc NKE.N with a deal that gives its customers access to more of the U.S. brand's footwear and apparel.

* OIL: Oil prices were little changed during Asian trade, though were headed for their first weekly gain in five weeks, underpinned by a weaker U.S. dollar and the possibility that OPEC+ may agree to cut crude output when it meets on Oct. 5.

* GOLD: Gold prices were set for their biggest quarterly fall since early 2021, as aggressive interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve and commitment to deliver more dented the zero-yielding metal's appeal.

* The UK blue-chip index .FTSE lost 1.8% on Thursday as banks and consumer staples weighed.

* UK CORPORATE DIARY: Pennon Plc

PNN.L

Trading Update

Cineworld Group

CINE.L Interim Results

Dignity Plc

DTY.L

Interim Results

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:

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Reporting by Radhika Anilkumar in Bengaluru;