UPDATE 2-FTSE 100 outshines European peers on boost from Unilever, banks

(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock
markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window.)
* Smith+Nephew jumps on reinstating 2021 outlook
* Unilever rises on 3 bln euros share buyback news
* FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 dips 0.2%

(Updates to market close)
By Devik Jain and Medha Singh
April 29 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 closed flat on
Thursday after hitting a one-week high hours earlier as a wave
of positive corporate earnings from companies including Standard
Chartered and Unilever helped the blue-chip index outperform its
European peers.
The index .FTSE retreated after rising as much as 0.8% to
7,019.71 points during the session, with Standard Chartered
STAN.L gaining about 5.6% after posting a stronger than
expected first-quarter profit. Lender NatWest NWG.L returned to profit in the first
quarter of 2021, joining rivals in releasing some of the cash it
had set aside to cover expected bad loans. Its shares, however,
fell 3.4%. "These similar patterns in two of the UK's biggest banks
show that they appear to support the argument that UK consumers
have been holding back," said Michael Hewson, Chief Market
Analyst at CMC Markets.
"As (coronavirus) restrictions continue to get eased, we
could well see a wave of spending in the summer months, barring
any setbacks in the vaccination program, or new variants."
The banks index .FTNMX301010 added about 1.5% as the Bank
of England launched a post-Brexit landmark rethink of regulation
that would simplify rules for smaller banks. The FTSE 100 was further supported by Unilever ULVR.L ,
which gained 3.3% after announced a 3 billion euro ($3.6
billion) share buyback and said it was confident of hitting
sales targets this year. Meanwhile, European stocks dipped as strong U.S. economic
data and German inflation data lifted euro zone bond yields.
.EU EUR/GOV
The FTSE 100 has gained about 8% year-to-date on optimism
that speedy COVID-19 vaccinations and constant policy support
from the government would drive a stronger economic recovery.
The domestically focused midcap FTSE 250 index .FTMC
dipped 0.2%.
Retailer WH Smith SMWH.L slipped 3.6% after it warned of
the possible risk of breaching its covenant tests in 2022 and
launched a potential 325-million-pound ($450 million) bond
offering.
Medical products maker Smith+Nephew SN.L and ConvaTec
Group CTEC.L also jumped 5.6% and 3.7% after they both
reinstated their 2021 outlook. The two-member medical equipment and services index
.FTNMX201020 jumped about 5%.