News: RIO UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Aug. 3

Aug 3 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.13%.

• RIO TINTO: Mongolia has settled almost all of its outstanding tax issues with Rio Tinto RIO.L over development of the giant Oyu Tolgoi copper mine and is confident that the remaining issues will be resolved, the country's prime minister told Reuters.
• BOE: The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates to a 15-year high of 5.25% from 5% on Thursday, though there is a risk of a repeat of June's surprise half-point increase as inflation remains the highest of the world's major economies.
• WIZZ: Airbus AIR.PA has won an order from Wizz Air WIZZ.L for 75 additional A321neo aircraft.
• OIL: Oil prices were little changed on Thursday after a two-day decline, including a sharp drop on Wednesday, as the U.S. government's credit downgrade weighed on sentiment though concerns around supply tightness provided some support.
• GOLD: Gold prices held near three-week lows on Thursday after a larger-than-expected increase in U.S. private payrolls in July fuelled bets on more monetary policy tightening and boosted the dollar and bond yields.
• Britain's FTSE 100 fell over 1% on Wednesday as global risk sentiment took a hit after Fitch cut the U.S' credit rating, while BAE Systems' shares jumped after a raise in annual earnings forecast.
• UK CORPORATE DIARY:

  Smith & Nephew SN.I Half-year results London Stock Exchange LSEG.L Half-year results

  Group Wizz Air WIZZ.L Q1 trading statement Hikma Pharmaceuticals HIK.L Half-year results

  Serco Group SRP.L Half-year results Mondi MNDI.L Half-year results Helios Towers HTWS.L Half-year results Pets at Home PETSP.L Q1 trading update

  Shaftesbury Capital SHCS.L Half-year results

  Next Plc NXT.L Q2 trading update

• For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on:

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