Adds news items, updates futures

May 22 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.34%.

* BARCLAYS: Barclays BARC.L is maintaining its 2026 average Brent crude oil price forecast at $100 a barrel though risks are skewing higher, the bank said.

* ENQUEST: EnQuest ENQ.L reiterated its annual output forecast and said it plans to raise shareholder returns while pursuing growth in the UK and Southeast Asia.

* SOFTCAT: Softcat SCTS.L raised its annual profit forecast on strong corporate demand for AI infrastructure and as customers rush orders to evade shortages in global memory chips.

* GAMES WORKSHOP: Games Workshop GAW.L forecast annual profit ahead of market expectations, driven by a surge in core miniatures sales following a record prior year boosted by blockbuster video game Space Marine 2.

* BT: Indian conglomerate Bharti Enterprises is seeking to potentially increase its stake in BT BT.L to just under the threshold that would require it to make a full takeover offer for the British telecoms group, three people familiar with the matter said.

* RETAIL SALES: British retail sales fell by the most in nearly a year in April, according to official figures published that added to signs of waning consumer spending against the backdrop of the Iran war and rising energy costs.

* CONSUMER CONFIDENCE: British consumers have turned a little less downbeat this month but are the least willing to make big purchases in almost a year and a half, according to a survey.

* OIL: Oil prices climbed on Friday but were on track for a weekly loss as investors doubted the prospects of a breakthrough in U.S.-Iran peace talks.

* GOLD: Gold edged lower on Friday, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar and as elevated oil prices have raised expectations for interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve.

* METALS: London and Shanghai copper were on track to log a largely rangebound week on Friday.

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

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