UK Stocks-Factors to watch on August 21
SPY•FTSE 100 opens little changed
Britain's FTSE 100 .FTSE was up 0.03% in early trading on Friday.
Commodities and markets backdrop
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Oil: Oil prices fell slightly, but were on track for a second weekly rise as the stalemated U.S.-Iran war continues to disrupt supply from the key Middle East producing region.
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Gold: Gold prices edged higher and were on track for a third consecutive weekly gain, supported by a weaker dollar and the U.S. Treasury's bond buyback move.
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Metals: Copper rose as the dollar weakened, but was headed for its first weekly decline in eight weeks, with London Metal Exchange inventories climbing and nearby price spreads narrowing sharply during the week.
Company updates and economic data
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Spire Healthcare: Spire Healthcare SPI.L extended, for the fifth time, the deadline for Toscafund Asset Management to make a formal takeover offer for the private hospital operator to September 3.
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Hunting: Hunting HTG.L lowered its annual core profit forecast amid delays to a major Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) tender process, despite an anticipated recovery in the second half.
