Sept 16 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening 21 points higher on Thursday, with futures .FFIc1 marginally up 0.16%.

* IG: Online trading platform IG Group Holdings Plc IGG.L reported a 4% drop in adjusted first-quarter revenue, as volumes fell compared to high volatility seen last year when the pandemic took markets by a storm.

* PHILIP MORRIS: Cigarette maker Philip Morris International (PMI) PM.N said it had received about 75% of Vectura VEC.L shares from shareholders as part of a public tender offer process to acquire the British company.

* WICKES: British home improvement retailer Wickes Group WIX.L raised its annual profit forecast, driven by strong sales volumes through its digital channels.

* CO-OPERATIVE GROUP: British supermarket group the Co-operative Group 42TE.L reported a first half loss and warned the country's supply chain disruption would put pressure on full year profit.

* SAINSBURY: British supermarket group Sainsbury's SBRY.L will offer lower prices to customers, deepening ties with shoppers and cutting costs.

* GOLD: Gold prices inched lower as cautious investors awaited signals on the U.S. Federal Reserve's timeline on withdrawal of its pandemic-era stimulus, with analysts expecting a further slide in prices on a formal announcement.

* OIL: Oil prices climbed, extending the previous day's solid gains after a larger-than-expected drawdown in crude oil stocks in the United States.

* UK shares ended lower on Wednesday, weighed by industrial and consumer discretionary stocks, after data showed British inflation accelerated to a 9-year high, fuelling concerns of a sooner-than-expected stimulus tapering by the Bank of England.

* UK CORPORATE DIARY: Galliford Try

GFRD.L

FY results IG Group

IGG.L

Trading update Ashtead Group

AHT.L

Q1 results Kier

KIE.L

FY results Hilton Foods

HFG.L

HY results C&C Group

GCC.L

Trading statement Wickes Group

WIX.L

HY results

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

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(Reporting By Geetha Panchaksharam)