PARIS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The following French stocks may be affected by newspaper reports and other factors on Thursday:
VIVENDI UNIVERSAL
The media giant is in negotiations with its bankers on an unusual off-balance sheet loan, which would allow it to foil Vodafone's bid for Cegetel and gain control of the prized French mobile operator, banking sources said.
This would allow Vivendi, which is reluctant to cede control of cash-cow Cegetel to Vodafone, to increase its 44 percent stake in Cegetel, most likely by buying BT's 26 percent stake for around 4.0 billion euros ($3.91 billion), sources said.
The deal under discussion would see Vivendi using part of the 1.25 billion euros from the sale of its French publishing assets to finance an equity contribution into a special purpose vehicle which would house Cegetel, sources said. Banks would provide the remainder and would be repaid through Cegetel dividends.
For story click on [nL23138609]
RENAULT
The carmaker said late on Wednesday that third quarter sales fell 2.9 percent to 7.99 billion euros, attributing the drop to its ongoing product range renewal. For the first nine months of 2002, sales were broadly flat at 27 billion euros.
Renault estimated 44-percent owned Japanese partner Nissan would contribute 900 million euros to its second-half results, far above market expectations.
For story click on [nL23182164] and [nPAC741864]
OBERTHUR CARD SYSTEMS
The smart card maker reported late on Wednesday a seven percent year-on-year decline in third-quarter sales to 103.3 million euros, as higher volume sales of chip cards were tarnished by lower prices and a weakening of the dollar.
Oberthur forecast full-year sales at between 435 and 450 million, which was the first sales outlook given by the company to date for the full-year 2002.
For story click on [nPAC741863]
PECHINEY
Aluminium processor posts third-quarter results at 0530 GMT.
MICHELIN
Europe's biggest tyre maker posts nine-month turnover at 0600 GMT.
AUTOROUTES DU SUD DE LA FRANCE
Motorway toll-road operator posts nine-month turnover at 0630 GMT.