News: BHP UK Stocks-Factors to watch on April 21

April 21 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 index .FTSE is seen opening higher on Thursday, with futures FFIc1 up 0.23%.

• BHP: BHP Group (BHP) fell short of estimates for iron ore output for the March quarter, as a pandemic-related labour crunch weighed on the miner's efforts to boost production in the mineral-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.
• UK CAR INSURANCE: The cost of a comprehensive car insurance policy in Britain touched an 18-month high in the first quarter and will continue to increase on the back of rising inflation and regulatory changes, a survey showed.

• METALS: Copper prices rebounded, bolstered by hopes of more stimulus in key metals consumer China to support its economy and lingering concerns about supply from top producers Peru and Chile.
• GOLD: Gold prices eased as a rebound in U.S. Treasury yields tempered bullion's safe-haven demand stemming from the Ukraine crisis and its potential impact on the global economy.

• OIL: Oil prices traded higher but in a narrow range, after being rocked earlier in the week by supply losses from Libya and a worrying outlook for demand as the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts.
• FTSE 100: London's FTSE 100 closed higher on Wednesday as gains in financial shares outweighed weakness in resource stocks, while miner Rio Tinto hit the bottom of the index on a downbeat earnings update.
• UK CORPORATE DIARY: Antofagasta ANTO.L Q1 production report Anglo American AAL.L Q1 production report Relx REL.L Trading update SEGRO SGRO.L Q1 trading update Rentokil Initial RTO.L Q1 trading update Meggitt MGGT.L Trading update Ibstock IBST.L AGM Trading statement AJ Bell AJBA.L Q2 trading update

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

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