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* FTSE 100 down 0.04%, FTSE 250 down 0.3%

* easyJet jumps as summer travel outlook brightens

* Jupiter falls despite stronger profit, inflows return

* Energy gains offset by precious metal miner losses

July 23 (Reuters) - Britain's FTSE 100 was little changed on

Thursday as weakness in precious metal miners offset gains in

energy shares after higher oil prices, while earnings and the

ECB's policy decision remained in focus.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell 0.04% to 10,712.83

points by 1050 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 slipped

0.3%.

* The energy stock led gains as oil prices

rose after Yemen's Houthis said they struck two Saudi oil

tankers, raising fears that disruption to global oil supplies

could spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz.

* Limiting gains, the precious metal mining sector,

fell 2.5% and led losses sectorally as gold

prices dropped on concerns that inflationary pressures could

push the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates later this

year.

* Against a backdrop of mounting inflation concerns,

investors awaited the European Central Bank's policy decision

later in the day.

* The European Central Bank is all but certain to keep

interest rates unchanged but will hold the door open to another

rate hike in September.

* Among individual stocks, Takeover target easyJet

rose 5.5% after the airline's third-quarter profit slumped 70%

as the Iran war led to volatile fuel prices and made travellers

wary, though earnings beat analysts' estimates and the carrier

indicated somewhat clearer skies heading into peak summer.

* Jupiter Fund Management ( JFHHF ) fell 2.6% despite the

asset-manager reporting a 67% jump in first-half pre-tax profit.

* Howden Joinery ( HWDJF ) gained 1.6% after the kitchen

supplier maintained its annual outlook and said it had hedged

fuel costs through year-end.

* Britain's new prime minister, Andy Burnham, said he would

lower business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues by

20% from April, his third announcement in three days of measures

to help households and businesses.