UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 3

March 3 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening up on Monday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.5%.

*SHELL: Shell SHEL.L is considering a potential sale of its chemicals assets in Europe and the U.S,, WSJ reported on Sunday, citing sources.

LABOUR: Britain must strengthen its safeguards against forced labour in supply chains to avoid the country becoming a dumping ground for products banned in other markets, Business and Trade Committee said in a report.

RIO TINTO : Rio Tinto RIO.L, RIO.AX said its iron ore export facility in Western Australia's Dampier port resumed operations after being offline due to tropical cyclones.

PRIVACY: UK privacy watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office launched an investigation into how TikTok, Reddit RDDT.N and Imgur safeguard children's privacy.

DEFENCE: Britain said on Friday it would launch an innovation hub to work with defence firms and speed up the delivery of military technologies.

OIL: Oil prices rose 1% on upbeat manufacturing data from China, although uncertainty from potential U.S. tariffs loomed.

GOLD: Gold prices rose, helped by a weaker U.S. dollar, while a delay in finding peace in Ukraine and concerns over the U.S. tariff policy fuelled safe-haven demand for the metal.

METALS: London copper gained, supported by a weaker dollar and hopes China would announce a fiscal stimulus package.

The UK blue-chip index .FTSE posted its highest close on record on Friday at 0.6%, buoyed by positive corporate earnings and a weaker pound.

UK CORPORATE DIARY:

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TODAY'S UK PAPERS
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