* FTSE 100 unchanged, FTSE 250 up 0.3%
* Premier Oil tops midcap gainers
* Aston Martin slides on profit alert
* Retailers gain on Morrisons trading update
(Adds news items, updates to closing prices)
By Muvija M
Jan 7 (Reuters) - British bluechips handed back gains as
falls in oil majors offset relief over the absence of an
immediate escalation in Middle East tension, but a report that
Britain's preparations for a no-deal Brexit had been halted
aided domestic stocks.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE ended flat on the day with Shell
RDSa.L and BP BP.L losing roughly 1% each due to lower oil
prices, while the midcaps .FTMC outperformed with a 0.3% gain.
The FTSE 250 index of domestically exposed stocks has fared
better in comparison to its bluechip counterpart since Prime
Minister Boris Johnson won a clear majority in the December
election.
His victory meant the Brexit process would be smoother, as
earlier transition deals by Johnson and his predecessor, Theresa
May, failed to win over a parliament that was deadlocked over
how, when or even if to leave the European Union.
Sky News reported that Britain's emergency preparations for
a no-deal Brexit have been halted "with immediate effect" as
Johnson's deal to leave the EU is expected to be approved by
lawmakers later this week. That lifted shares of housebuilders .FTNMX3720 , considered
among the most vulnerable to a disastrous departure from the
trading bloc.
Global markets steadied after the killing of a top Iranian
military commander by the United States sparked a selloff on
Monday, when both the UK benchmark indexes lost nearly 1%.
Among midcaps, Premier Oil PMO.L shares surged 14% after a
deal to buy certain BP BP.L assets, more than offsetting an
17% slide in luxury carmarker Aston Martin AML.L following a
profit warning.
Aston Martin, James Bond's brand of choice, has seen its
shares plummet about three quarters in value since a 2018
listing.
Retailers were the standout performers among bluechips, as
robust sales by Morrisons MRW.L helped strike out some worries
of dismal trading updates for the key holiday period.
"First out (of) the gate among the big four listed grocers
and Morrisons passes the test – trading was tough and for sure
they are leaking market share to the discounters, whilst the
election in December certainly had an impact," Markets.com
analyst Neil Wilson wrote.
Ocado OCDO.L , Morrisons, Kingfisher KGF.L , Primark owner
Associated British Foods ABF.L and Sainsbury's SBRY.L took
the top spots on the main index with gains between 1.6% and 4.2%
Investors had shunned the sector in the last session when
Bank of America said retailers faced structural challenges,
including market share losses to discounters such as Aldi UK and
profit dilution due to e-commerce.
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Morrison https://tmsnrt.rs/2FnSWbI
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