Adds new items, updates futures

March 5 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening higher on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.58%.

* FERREXPO: Ferrexpo FXPO.L said that a Ukrainian court had granted authorities' request for transfer of 49.5% of the company's rights in Poltava Mining to federal agencies as part of ongoing investigations in that country.

* CAR SALES: New car registrations in Britain dropped about 1% in February, preliminary industry data showed.

* SIG: SIG SHI.L reported a near 53% fall in its annual underlying profit, hurt by a slowdown in construction and remodelling activity.

* DE LA RUE: UK banknote printer De La Rue DLAR.L said growth in its currency division for 2026 is expected to exceed earlier forecast.

* QUILTER: British wealth manager Quilter QLT.L beat estimates for 2024 but said an ongoing review will cost the company 76 million pounds.

* BALFOUR BEATTY: British real estate services provider Balfour Beatty BALF.L named Philip Hoare as its new CEO.

* TARIFFS: UK's finance minister Rachel Reeves said she was hopeful of securing a trade deal with the U.S. to avoid possible trade tariffs.

* RIO TINTO: Palliser Capital welcomed Rio Tinto's RIO.AX, RIO.L decision to allow Australian shareholders to vote on a resolution for independent review of its dual-listing status.

* FLUTTER: Flutter FLTRF.L, the world's largest online betting company, said it expects to increase its core profit by around 34%.

* OIL: Oil fell for a third session.

* GOLD: Gold edged lower.

* METALS: Most base metals gained, with London copper prices hitting a one-week high, supported by a weaker U.S. dollar and latest stimulus measures from top consumer China.

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

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(Compiled by Simone Lobo in Bengaluru)

((Simone.Lobo@thomsonreuters.com; +919920570373;))