UK Stocks-Factors to watch on March 31

Macrh 31 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.13%.

UNILEVER: Unilever ULVR.L has implemented a global hiring freeze "at all levels" that will last at least three months, according to a memo seen by Reuters. The group is also in advanced talks to combine its food business McCormick MKC.N, in a deal that includes a cash component of around $16 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported.

EDINBURGH WORLDWIDE INVESTMENT TRUST: Boaz Weinstein's Saba Capital announced on Monday a liquidity proposal for Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust EWI.L and said it believes its proposal is superior to the company's proposed tender offer.

MOTOR FINANCE: The motor finance industry must pay around 9.1 billion pounds ($12 billion) to compensate UK motorists for unfair vehicle loans under the market regulator's trimmed, final bill for one of Britain's costliest financial mis-selling scandals.

SHOP PRICE INFLATION: British store chains raised their prices a bit more quickly this month and the Iran war risks further pushing up inflation, a retail industry group said.

COMMODITIES: Oil prices reversed course in Asian trading on Tuesday, gold prices rose but were poised for their worst month in more than 17 years, and aluminium extended its gains.

FTSE: London's FTSE 100 closed more than 1% higher on Monday, buoyed by mining and energy stocks as commodity prices continued to rise.

UK CORPORATE DIARY:

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TODAY'S UK PAPERS

> Financial Times PRESS/FT

> Other business headlines PRESS/GB