UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 20

May 20 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.40%.

VODAFONE: Mobile and broadband provider Vodafone VOD.L said it expected to return to top-line growth in Germany, its largest market, this year, driving an increase in cash flow after it said it met expectations for the year to end-March.

CENTRICA: Britain's Centrica CNA.L said that Spirit Energy, its joint venture with German utility Stadtwerke München (SWM), will sell a 46.25% stake in the Cygnus gas field to Ithaca Energy ITH.L for about 116 million pounds ($155.05 million).

SMITHS GROUP: British conglomerate Smiths Group SMIN.L said that its annual organic revenue growth would be at the top end of its 6%-8% forecast range, after demand for its baggage-screening kits and explosives detectors helped third-quarter sales jump 10.6%.

SSP GROUP: Upper Crust owner SSP Group SSPG.L said on Tuesday that it launched a group-wide overhead cost-reduction programme to boost margins and returns in fiscal 2026.

CRANSWICK: British meat producer Cranswick CWK.L reported annual pretax profit ahead of market expectations on Tuesday, driven by strong demand for its pork and poultry products.

GREGGS: British baker and fast food chain Greggs GRG.L reported improving sales growth as its first half progressed, helped by better trading conditions, and said it was sticking to forecasts for the full year.

DIPLOMA: British distributor Diploma DPLM.L raised its full-year organic growth forecast after reporting a 14% rise in first-half sales, driven by strong demand for cables and wires.

COMMODITIES: Oil prices barely moved on Tuesday, gold prices eased, and copper prices in London were slightly lower.

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