UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 8

May 8 - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futuresFFIc1 up 0.72%.

INTEREST RATES: The Bank of England is poised to extend its slow run of interest rate cuts.

RIO TINTO: A U.S. federal judge said he will rule by May 14 on whether Rio Tinto RIO.L and BHP BHP.AX can build a major copper mine opposed by Native Americans in Arizona.

TRADE: U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to announce a trade deal between the United States and Britain, the New York Times reported citing people familiar with the plans.

FLUTTER: Flutter FLTRF.L cut its forecast for annual U.S. profit growth.

BRITISH STEEL: British Steel said it would increase hiring following the British government's operational seizure of the group.

HOUSING: Britain's housing market slowed last month after the end of a temporary tax break, an industry survey showed.

COMMODITIES: Oil prices steadied over trade talks and gold climbed on Federal Reserve's inflation warnings, while metal prices in London showed mixed movements.

* EX-DIVS: HSBC Holdings HSBA.L and RELX REL.L will trade without entitlement to its latest dividend pay-out on Thursday.

The UK blue-chip index .FTSE closed down 0.4% on Wednesday as losses in healthcare and real estate shares offset positive trade talk developments.

UK CORPORATE DIARY:

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TODAY'S UK PAPERS
> Financial Times PRESS/FT
> Other business headlines PRESS/GB