LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening as much as 0.9 percent higher on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers, tracking gains in the U.S. and Asian markets.
"The European markets ended up pretty flat yesterday. But on the back of strong finish on Wall Street and on the strong showing in Asia, we are calling them up," said Matthew Buckland, a dealer at CMC Markets.
Financial spreadbetters expected the UK benchmark to open up 35 to 41 points, after closing up 3.89 points, or 0.1 percent at 4,689.67 on Wednesday.
U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday, shaking off a slide in China's equity market, as investors responded favourably to a surprising drop in crude oil stockpiles that might suggest an improving demand outlook. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei average gained 1.5 percent and Chinese stocks rose 2.1 percent. Heavyweight energy stocks would get a lift from firmer crude prices, which traded above $72 a barrel.
UK retail sales, due at 0830 GMT, will provide a gauge of the state of the British economy. Investors will shift their focus on U.S. weekly jobless claims later in the day.
* Wall St gains as oil data rekindles recovery hopes
* Nikkei up 0.7 percent, boosted by resources and China
* GLOBAL MARKETS-Shanghai stocks claw up but investor on edge
* Oil steady above $72 after 4 percent surge; eyes US data
* Yen edges lower as high-yielders back in favour
* TREASURIES-Futures off 1-mth peak as China shares rise
UK stocks to watch on Thursday are:
RIO TINTO
The miner is due to release its first-half results.
VEDANTA RESOURCES
Sterlite Industries, a unit of Vedanta Resources, has raised its offer for bankrupt U.S. copper miner Asarco LLC, making a bid that could pay unsecured creditors in full and compete with the latest offer from Mexican miner Grupo Mexico SAB de CV, according to an Asarco lawyer.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday it has approved GlaxoSmithKline's Hiberix Hib vaccines as a booster dose for children ages 15 months to four years.
SIG
The company is due to release its first-half results.
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
Financial Times
Other business headlines
(Reporting by Dominic Lau; Editing by Jon Loades-Carter)