For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window

By Pranav Kashyap

Oct 21 (Reuters) -Britain's benchmark index was largely flat on Monday as gains in commodity-linked stocks were offset by losses in utilities, while investors await insights from Bank of England (BoE) officials this week.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE held its ground at 8,355.90 points by 1010 GMT, while the domestically-focussed FTSE 250 index .FTMC fell 0.3%.

The oil and gas sector .FTNMX601010 rose 1.3%, with heavyweightsBP BP.L and Shell SHEL.L gaining 1.9% and 1.1%, respectively.

Precious metal miners .FTNMX551030 advanced 1.8% after gold prices hit a record-high amid uncertainties surrounding the U.S. election. GOL/

Industrial metal miners .FTNMX551020 rose 0.3% after prices of most nonferrous metals rose, buoyed by lending rate cuts in China and expectations of further stimulus. MET/L

The utilities sector .FTUB6510, however, fell 0.6%.

Meanwhile, investors awaited speeches from key Bank of England officials this week, following surprising consumer price index figures for September last week thatrevealed Britain's inflation had dipped below the BoE's 2% target.

On Tuesday, all eyes will be on speeches by BoE Governor Andrew Bailey, Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden, and Monetary Policy Committee member Megan Greene, as investors seek hints on the trajectory of interest rate cuts.

Adding to the anticipation, Britain's flash PMI figures for October are set to be released on Wednesday, offering further insights into the country's inflation landscape, while UK's consumer confidence data is due on Friday.

Among individual stocks, Intertek Group ITRK.L lost 2.1%RBC downgraded the British product testing firm to "sector perform" from "outperform".

Investor caution was also influenced by uncertainties across the pond, stemming from the U.S. presidential election. MKTS/GLOB.

Reporting by Pranav Kashyap in Bengaluru

 For related prices, Reuters users may click on - * UK stock report .L FTSE index: 0#.FTS6 techMARK 100 index: .FTT1X FTSE futures: 0#FFI: Gilt futures: 0#FLG: Smallcap index: .FTSC FTSE 250 index: .FTMC FTSE 350 index: .FTLC Market digest: .AD.L Top 10 by vol: .AV.L Top price gainers: .NG.L Top % gainers: .PG.L Top price losers: .NL.L Top % losers: .PL.L * For related news, click on - * UK hot stocks: HOT and GB Wall Street: .N Gilts report: GB/ Euro bond report GVD/EUR Pan European stock report: .EU Tokyo stocks: .T HK stocks: .HK Sterling report: GBP/ Dollar report: USD/ * For company prices, click on - * Company directory: UKEQ By sector: FTAX * For pan-European market data, click on - * European Equities speed guide................ EUR/EQUITY FTSE Eurotop 300 index........................... .FTEU3 DJ STOXX index................................... .STOXX Top 10 STOXX sectors........................ .PGL.STOXXS Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors................... .PGL.STOXXES Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors.................. .PGL.FTEU3S Top 25 European pct gainers.................... .PG.PEUR Top 25 European pct losers..................... .PL.PEUR