Retail stocks lag quiet European market on competition worries

* STOXX wavers amid caution before Jackson Hole speeches

* Supermarket Ahold leads sector lower on Amazon worries

* Financials provide support, Provident extends rebound (Adds details, updates prices)

By Danilo Masoni

MILAN, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Fresh competition worries hit Ahold and other European retail stocks on Friday as the broader market inched up before speeches by central bankers at the Jackson Hole gathering in the U.S.

Ahold dropped 4 percent after Amazon said it will cut prices on a range of goods as it completes its acquisition of Whole Foods Market (NasdaqGS: WFM - news) .

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) in the Dutch supermarket, which has a strong presence on the east coast of the U.S., fell as much as 7.3 percent to their lowest level in 16 months, the biggest decline among European shares.

"Amazon's price cuts add to the price pressures that already exist in the US,," said AFS Group analyst Jauke de Jong.

"About two-thirds of Ahold's revenue stems from the U.S., so the news is quite negative as it could need to follow suit by lowering prices as well to defend its market share," he added.

But gains among financials and mining stocks helped support the pan-European STOXX 600 index which was up 0.3 percent by 0810 GMT, set to end the week little changed. Euro zone blue chips were 0.3 percent higher.

Investors stayed cautious before ECB President Mario Draghi and Fed Chair Janet Yellen and deliver their speeches, even though no major new policy messages are expected.

"Draghi will certainly not breathe a word about the ECB's bond purchases program, which is due to end in September," said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, analyst at London Capital Group.

Ozkardeskaya said she saw limited potential for European stocks before the ECB details plans to phase out its big bond purchase programme, likely at its September meeting.

"European equity funds redeemed $231 million in the week to August 23.. hinting that some investors may prefer to turn flat before the ECB’s critical announcement," she said.

The retail index fell 0.8 percent, leading sectoral fallers in the region. In the sector, French supermarkets Casino and Carrefour (LSE: 0NPH.L - news) fell 1.5 percent and 1.9 percent respectively, while Tesco (Frankfurt: 852647 - news) and Sainsbury (Amsterdam: SJ6.AS - news) were also lower.

Provident Financial (Other OTC: FPLPF - news) led gainers on the STOXX, up 18 percent. The UK subprime lender, which has lost close to 60 percent of its market value this week after a second profit warning in quick succession, said it had replaced the managing director of its beleaguered home credit business.

Fiat Chrysler rose 0.3 percent after saying it would evaluate any inquiries about potential tie-ups.

China's Great Wall Motor (Shanghai: 601633.SS - news) said this week it was interested in possible deals with Fiat (Hanover: FIA1.HA - news) , sending shares in the Italian American carmaker to a fresh record high.

(Reporting by Danilo Masoni; Editing by Keith Weir)