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* FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 adds 1.0%
April 23 (Reuters) - UK's FTSE 100 lagged its European peers
on Thursday as consumer giant Unilever said coronavirus lockdown
measures took a toll on its quarterly sales.
On a busy day for earnings and economic data, the blue-chip
FTSE 100 index .FTSE was flat at 0718 GMT, while the
domestically focused FTSE 250 index .FTMC gained 1%.
Shares in Unilever Plc ULVR.L UNc.AS fell 5.6% as it
pulled its full-year forecast, adding that a sharp decline in
shopping and restaurant trips in China during first quarter
offset gains from stay-at-home consumers stockpiling in Europe
and North America. Shares in Reckitt Benckiser RB.L fell 1.2%.
Investors awaited UK flash PMI readings, due at 0830 GMT,
with a Reuters poll forecasting business activity contracted at
the fastest rate by far in April since the survey began over 20
years ago. The index is expected to drop to 31.4 points.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX was up 0.15%.