UPDATE 2-FTSE 100 ends flat as weak materials, financials offset defensive gains

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* Restaurant Group jumps on share sale
* Foxtons Group rises on upbeat outlook
* FTSE 100 down 0.1%, FTSE 250 up 0.1%

(Updates to close)
By Shivani Kumaresan and Amal S
March 10 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 ended little changed
on Wednesday as easing inflation concerns pulled down mining and
banks stocks and pushed flows into defensive sectors such as
consumer staples and healthcare.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index .FTSE ended down 0.1%, with
mining stocks, including Rio Tinto RIO.L , BHP Group BHPB.L ,
Anglo American AAL.L and BHP BHPB.L , falling between 1% and
3%. MET/L
"The weakness that we saw yesterday in terms of Treasury
yields followed up with some kind of consolidation and now
seeing a rebound, so I think that, to some extent, is putting a
little bit of pressure on the UK," said Josh Mahony, analyst at
IG Group.
"We're starting to see some fears around what might happen
if Chinese stimulus got pulled away based on what and how
supportive commodity prices are going to be in that kind of
environment."
A report on U.S. consumer prices soothed recent fears over a
spike in inflation, bringing down Treasury yields and giving
bond-sensitive sectors more breathing room. Global stocks also
rose after the reading. MKTS/GLOB
Recent pressure from high yields had weighed on high
valuations in equities, although UK stocks saw a smaller impact
due to having underperformed their global peers through 2020.
Defensive plays including consumer staples, healthcare and
utilities, and oil majors BP BP.L and Royal Dutch Shell
RDSa.L , were the top boosts to the FTSE 100 on Wednesday.
The domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 index .FTMC
ended a shade higher, on strength in major asset managers and
healthcare stocks.
Frankie & Benny's owner Restaurant Group RTN.L rose 2.7%,
after saying it was planning to raise 175 million pounds ($242.7
million) through a share sale. Royal Mail RMG.L gained 3.6% after it raised its annual
profit forecast on Wednesday, citing stronger-than-expected
advertising, business and stamped mail volumes this year.
Real estate agency Foxtons Group Plc FOXT.L gained 10.2%,
after it said more tenants are filling buildings in London,
attracted by a 12% drop in rental prices during the COVID-19
pandemic.