News: RIO UK Stocks-Factors to watch on April 8

April 8 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index .FTSE is seen opening higher on Friday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.65%.

• RIO TINTO: Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO) said it had taken sole charge of operations and production at refiner Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL), partly owned by Russian aluminium producer Rusal RUAL.MM , following government sanctions.
• SAINSBURY: British supermarket chain Sainsbury's SBRY.L will increase pay for its staff in outer London to the level already achieved by staff in the capital's inner areas, a source close the company said after pressure from shareholders.
• CHANNEL 4: British broadcaster Channel 4 has warned the government its privatisation would cost the economy 3 billion pounds ($3.92 billion) and also put independent producers out of business, The Times reported.
• ITHACA-SICCAR POINT: Israeli energy conglomerate Delek Group DLEKG.TA said its North Sea subsidiary Ithaca has acquired private equity-backed Siccar Point Energy for $1.1 billion.
• METALS: Aluminium prices in China fell for a fourth straight session to their lowest in more than three weeks, on worries that fresh lockdowns in China and higher interest rate environment could dent growth and demand in the metals market.

• GOLD: Gold prices remained trapped in a tight range as the dollar firmed on prospects of aggressive interest rate hikes by the U.S. Federal Reserve, partially offsetting safe-haven demand fuelled by the lingering Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• OIL: Oil prices drifted lower and were set to drop around 3% for the week as consuming countries' planned release of 240 million barrels from emergency stocks offset some concerns over reduced supplies from Russia due to western sanctions.

• FTSE 100: Britain's FTSE 100 slid on Thursday, weighed down by oil major Shell after it flagged a bigger writedown following its decision to exit Russia, while a jump in shares of gambling firm 888 Holdings helped limit some losses on the midcap index.
• UK CORPORATE DIARY: CMC Markets CMCX.L FY Pre-close trading update

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