UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 4

March 4 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening down on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1> down 0.58%.

RETAIL: British retailers will likely push up their prices in the coming months in response to higher employment costs in April, according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium which showed a rebound in prices in February after the end of January sales.

BATS: A Delaware judge ordered ITG Brands, a unit of Imperial Brands IMB.L, to pay rival cigarette maker and British American Tobacco BATS.L unit, Reynolds American, $251.5 million in connection with a Florida tobacco settlement.

TOPPS TILES: The CMA said it may approve Topps Tiles' TPT.L 9-million-pound ($11.3 million) acquisition of CTD Tiles, if the proposed remedies are found sufficient.

OIL: Oil continued to fall after U.S. President Donald Trump paused military aid to Ukraine and as markets braced for U.S. tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China to take effect.

GOLD: Gold prices edged down as market participants exercised caution and braced for tariffs.

METALS: Shanghai copper prices rose on hopes of more stimulus from China.

The UK blue-chip index .FTSE gained 0.7% on Monday to an all-time closing high on a sharp rally in defence shares.

UK CORPORATE DIARY:

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