UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan 16

Jan 16 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.13%.

BP/SHELL: A judge has dismissed New York City's lawsuit seeking to hold Exxon Mobil XOM.N, BP BP.L and Shell SHEL.L liable for misleading the public about their products, and their commitment to renewable energy and fighting climate change.

UK HOUSE PRICES: British property surveyors reported the fastest rise in house prices since September 2022 in December and a continued increase in sales and new buyer enquiries, in contrast to the more mixed picture from some other housing market surveys.

RIO TINTO: Rio Tinto RIO.L, RIO.AX reported its lowest annual iron ore shipments in two years, partly as heavy rains in Western Australia impacted output in the December quarter, but said the global economy was showing signs of strength.

SHELL: Shell SHEL.L plans to close its Madrid gas trading operations for tax reasons, Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias reported, citing unnamed sources close to the matter.

OIL: Oil prices gained for a second session on Thursday.

METALS: Base metals traded mixed on Thursday.

GOLD: Gold prices were stable on Thursday.

EX-DIVS: Compass Group CPG.L and Diploma DPLM.L will trade without entitlement to their latest dividend pay-outs on Thursday.

British stock markets rallied on Wednesday, with midcaps notching their best day in a month, as tame inflation reports from the UK and the U.S. fuelled expectations of more interest rate cuts this year.

UK CORPORATE DIARY:

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(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru)

((Yamini.Kalia@thomsonreuters.com;))