UK Stocks-Factors to watch on May 15

- Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening lower on Friday, with futures FFIc1 down 0.6%.

* HSBC: HSBC HSBA.L has yet to deploy billions into its own private credit strategy almost a year after unveiling plans, the Financial Times reported.

* OIL: Oil prices gained more than 1% after President Donald Trump said China wants to buy oil from the United States and as concerns persisted over ship attacks and seizures despite Iran saying about 30 vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

* METALS: Copper eased, even as it looked set to log a second straight weekly gain, as investors weighed persistent supply risks against signs that high prices are starting to curb demand in top consumer China.

* GOLD: Gold prices fell and were on track for a weekly loss, as higher energy prices fuelled inflation concerns and reinforced expectations of prolonged higher interest rates, while traders awaited the outcome of a U.S.-China summit.

* FTSE: UK shares edged up on Thursday, as strong first-quarter economic growth offered some respite to investors shaken by escalating political uncertainty in the country.

* UK CORPORATE DIARY:

Grafton Group

GFTU_u.L

Trading update

* For more on the factors affecting European stocks, please click on: LIVE/

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