UK Stocks-Factors to watch on Jan 17

Britain's FTSE 100 index is seen opening 13 points higher at 7,623 on Thursday, according to financial bookmakers. * RIO: Rio Tinto posted a 3% drop in iron ore shipments in 2019 as the Anglo-Australian miner's operations faced disruptions due to cyclone and a fire at a port facility. * IAG: IAG's British Airways flights can pump out more carbon emissions per passenger than rival airlines on certain routes, according to the consumer group "Which?" * GOLD: Gold