News: RIO UK Stocks-Factors to watch on July 21

July 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE index is seen opening steady on Wednesday, with futures FFIc1 marginally up 0.02%.

• RIO: Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO) said it has reached an agreement with stakeholders of the Bougainville community to look into potential environmental damage and human rights breaches at a copper mine it ran decades ago.
• INSURANCE: The cost of a comprehensive car insurance policy in Britain fell 12% in the second quarter to its lowest level since early 2016 due to COVID-19 lockdowns, although it might rebound to pre-pandemic levels as restrictions ease, a survey showed on Wednesday.
• AVIVA: British insurer Aviva AV.L called for urgent action from policymakers, developers and insurers to protect homes and businesses from the impact of climate change, saying most were ill-prepared to handle extreme weather.
• ECONOMY: Britain's economic bounce-back from the coronavirus lockdowns cooled in June despite a surge in business for the country's hospitality sector, according to a survey which echoed other signs that the has lost some of its pace.

• ST. MODWEN: St. Modwen Properties SMP.L said on Tuesday the Blackstone-backed firm, which plans to take the UK logistics and residential property firm private in a $1.75 billion deal, has entered into a loan agreement to fund the transaction.

• OIL: Oil prices fell after an industry report showed an unexpected build-up in U.S. oil inventories last week, which heightened worries about a resurgence in COVID-19 infections potentially dampening fuel demand.
• GOLD: Gold eased as the dollar emerged as the preferred safe-haven bet amid fears that the highly contagious Delta coronavirus variant may stall a global economic recovery, while a rebound in U.S. bond yields further pressured bullion prices.

• Miners and bank stocks helped the FTSE 100 rebound on Tuesday after surging coronavirus cases and fears of an economic slowdown pushed the index to a two-month low in the previous session.
• UK CORPORATE DIARY:

  Antofagasta ANTO.L Q2 production report Hochschild HOCM.L Q2 production report

  Paypoint PAYP.L Trading statement

  Royal Mail RMG.L AGM trading statement

  Qinetiq QQ.L Trading statement

  Close Brothers CBRO.L Trading statement

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