UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan 2
02/01/2025 04:49
Jan 2 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is
seen opening lower on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.12%.
* RIO TINTO: Miner Rio Tinto RIO.L RIO.AX said on
Thursday a deck fitter on board its bulk carrier travelling from
China to Western Australia was reported missing last week and
the Philippine Coast Guard was leading a search and rescue
operation.
* OIL: Oil prices nudged higher on Thursday, the first day
of trade for 2025, as investors returning from holidays
cautiously eyed a recovery in China's economy and fuel demand
following a pledge by President Xi Jinping to promote growth.
* METALS: Most base metals rose on Thursday, the first
trading session of 2025, buoyed by expectations of more
proactive Chinese policies to promote growth, although gains
were capped by a stronger U.S. dollar.
* GOLD: Gold prices inched higher on Thursday, continuing
its momentum from 2024, while traders sought more clarity on the
U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate trajectory and
President-elect Donald Trump's policies.
* EX-DIVS: SSE SSE.L , F&C Investment Trust FCIT.L and
Auto Trader Group AUTOA.L will trade without entitlement to
its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday.
* London's FTSE 100 climbed to its highest level in over a
week on the last trading day of 2024, locking in gains for a
fourth straight year and its best since 2021.
* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please
click on: LIVE/
TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru)
((Yamini.Kalia@thomsonreuters.com;))