UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 12

March 12 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.22%.

RIO TINTO: Rio Tinto RIO.AX, RIO.L will raise $9 billion in U.S. investment-grade bonds as it seeks to fund its recently-closed buyout of Arcadium Lithium LTM.AX, the miner said.

DRAX: British power group Drax DRX.L said it has secured agreements to provide 434 megawatts of power , primarily from its pumped storage and hydro plants, from October 2028 to September 2029 for about 24 million pounds ($31.02 million).

LEGAL AND GENERAL: Legal & General LGEN.L reported a forecast-beating 6% rise in annual core operating profit , helped by record volumes of retail annuities sales.

MAN UTD: Manchester United MANU.N CEO Omar Berrada said there was a risk the club's investment in a new $2.58 billion stadium could impact spending on the squad.

TARIFFS: Britain's trade minister, Jonathan Reynolds, said he was disappointed the U.S. imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, while adding that the UK is negotiating a wider economic agreement with the U.S.

DIRECT LINE GROUP: Shareholders in Direct Line Group DLGD.L have voted in favour of its proposed takeover by larger rival Aviva AV.L.

FCA: Britain's Payments System Regulator will be abolished and its remit absorbed by another financial regulator, the government said.

ROSEBANK: Rosebank Industries ROSE.L said it was withdrawing its bid to buy U.S.-based Electrical Components International.

ELECTRICITY: The National Energy System Operator announced that Britain's auction to secure sufficient electricity capacity for 2028/29 has cleared at 60 pounds per kilowatt (kW) per year.

* OIL: Oil prices edged up.

GOLD: Gold held steady.

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