News: ERA UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Dec 12

Dec 12 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index .FTSE is expected to open higher on Tuesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.08%.

• BP: BP PLC BP.L has challenged U.S. energy regulators' approvals of a Venture Global LNG liquefied natural gas export facility, arguing that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has failed to enforce its regulations, according to a letter filed with FERC on Monday.
• RIO TINTO: Energy Resources of Australia (ERA) (ERA) , Rio Tinto's (RIO) majority-owned uranium unit, said on Tuesday it expects to record a bigger provision of about A$2.3 billion ($1.51 billion) related to the rehabilitation of its Ranger uranium oxide mine than expected earlier.
• HSBC: JPMorgan Chase JPM.N is set to outsource the operations of its local custody business in Hong Kong and Taiwan with Citigroup C.N , HSBC HSBA.L , and Standard Chartered STAN.L in the race for the mandate, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.
• METAL: Prices of most non-ferrous metals rose on Tuesday, as a softer dollar made the greenback-priced metals cheaper to holders of other currencies.
• GOLD: Gold prices steadied on Tuesday after hitting a three-week low in the previous session.
• OIL: Oil prices ticked up on Tuesday as investors played cautious ahead of key interest rate decisions and inflation data releases, but concerns over supply surplus and slower demand growth kept a lid on gains.
• FTSE 100: The UK's FTSE 100 closed lower on Monday, with lower metal prices dragging down miners as investors await a slew of central bank meetings and economic data this week for clues on the path of monetary policy.
• UK CORPORATE DIARY: RWS Holdings RWS.L FY RESULTS Chemring CHG.L FY RESULTS Group
• For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:

  TODAY'S UK PAPERS > Financial Times > Other business headlines