(Adds futures prices, company news)
LONDON, Aug 4 (Reuters) - European equity futures fell on Tuesday, with commodity shares under pressure from a recent drop in oil prices and lingering concerns over the state of the economy in China, which is the world's biggest metals consumer.
The euro zone's Euro STOXX 50 futures contract STXEc1 fell 0.4 percent. Germany's DAX futures FDXc1 and France's CAC futures both fell 0.3 percent, as did those for Britain's FTSE futures.
European equities had risen on Monday, shrugging off a slump in the Greek stock market which re-opened after a five-week shutdown, as some strong corporate results supported the broader market.
There were some more decent earnings on Tuesday, with insurer AXA AXAF.PA posting higher net profits, while fashion company Hugo Boss BOSSN.DE reported second-quarter sales that rose more than expected.
However, BMW AG's BMWG.DE second quarter operating profit eased 3 percent on slowing China sales, leading the carmaker to caution that while it still expects new records for sales and pretax profit in the full year, earnings momentum was slowing.
COMPANY NEWS:
AXA AXAF.PA :
AXA, Europe's second-largest insurer, posted a 2 percent increase in net income as a fall in the value of financial assets reduced the benefit of a weak euro on its earnings. ID:nP6N0WP019
AXEL SPRINGER SPRGn.DE :
Germany's biggest news publisher Axel Springer on Tuesday reported better-than-expected second-quarter core profit as its continued to expand its digital activities, offsetting a decline in its classic printing business.
BMW BMWG.DE :
BMW AG's second quarter operating profit eased 3 percent on slowing China sales, leading the carmaker to caution that while it still expects new records for sales and pretax profit in the full year, earnings momentum was slowing.
BP BP.L :
British oil major BP has halted its deepwater exploration activities off Uruguay as it prioritizes lower-risk projects at a time of low international prices, an official at Uruguay's state-owned oil company Ancap said on Monday.
CREDIT AGRICOLE CAGR.PA :
Credit Agricole 's new chief executive made his mark on Tuesday with a management reshuffle, as the bank nears a settlement with U.S. authorities over possible sanctions breaches.
DSV DSV.CO :
Danish freight forwarder DSV posted a bigger-than-expected rise in second quarter operating profit before special items on Tuesday, helped by a positive growth trend in all business units, and lifted its full-year outlook.
EVONIK EVKn.DE :
German diversified chemicals maker Evonik lifted its 2015 profit guidance for the second time, helped by a strong animal feed ingredients business.
EXOR EXOR.MI :
Investment group Exor, which controls carmaker Fiat Chrysler FCHA.MI FCAU.N , said on Monday it had signed a deal to buy PartnerRe PRE.N for $6.9 billion, trumping a rival bid from Axis Capital AXS.N and ending a prolonged battle for the reinsurer.
GLENCORE GLEN.L :
Glencore has begun a business rescue process at its South African coal unit due to "unsustainable financial hardship" in supply agreements with power utility Eskom ESCJ.UL , the company said on Tuesday.
HUGO BOSS BOSSN.DE :
German fashion house Hugo Boss reported second-quarter sales that rose more than expected due to a rebound in Europe and last year's relaunch of its website.
MEGGITT MGGT.L :
British engineering components firm Meggitt reported a 6 percent rise in half-year profit and said it was on track to deliver revenue growth in line with its guidance as higher military spending offset declines in its energy markets.
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND RBS.L :
The UK government sold a 2.1 billion pound ($3.3 billion) stake in Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) at 330 pence per share, kicking off the disposal of its holding seven years after bailing out the bank.
SMITHS GROUP SMIN.L :
The Financial Times reported that U.S. activist hedge fund ValueAct had taken a stake in British engineering company Smiths Group .