UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 1

May 1 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.45%.

BP: BP's BP.L 440,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery in Whiting, Indiana, shut the reformer unit last weekend, trading sources said.

ANGLO AMERICAN: Anglo American AAL.L said that shareholders have approved the demerger of its South African unit, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) AMSJ.J, along with the company's share consolidation.

GLOBALDATA: GlobalData DATA.L said it had received preliminary takeover proposals from ICG ICGIN.L and KKR KKR.N.

MELROSE: Melrose MRON.L said its shareholders had rejected its directors' remuneration report for the year ending December 31, 2024, at the 2025 annual general meeting.

CO-OP: Co-op Group 42TE.L said hackers had attempted to break into its systems.

BUSINESS: British business leaders have turned their most optimistic about the economy, according to a survey that suggested U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff pause was easing concerns.

COMMODITIES: Oil prices steadied in early Asian trade after a steep decline while gold was subdued and London copper edged up on the dollar's strength and easing trade tensions.

EX-DIVS: Glencore GLEN.L and Centrica CNA.L will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday.

The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed up 0.4% on Wednesday as investors assessed mixed corporate earnings and key economic data.

UK CORPORATE DIARY:

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