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UK stocks eked out modest gains in early trading on Wednesday after a reasonably tame US inflation reading eased concerns about rising bond yields, offsetting a disappointing earnings release from Tesco.
At 0816, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was up 8.28 points, or 0.1%, at 6,898.77.
Supermarket group Tesco fell 3.6% to 223.75 as it reported a 20% drop in annual profit after rising grocery sales were offset by lower fuel sales, costs associated with adapting to the pandemic and a writedown at its banking operation.
Tesco held its annual dividend steady at 9.15p per share, while forecasting a 'strong improvement in profitability' in the current financial year.
EasyJet ascended 3.3% to 954p forecast 'slightly' better-than-expected results amid efforts to cut costs by limiting flying capacity, which was expected to increase from late May onwards.
For the six months ended 31 March 2021, headline pre-tax loss was expected in the range of £690 million to £730 million, with revenue down 90% to £235 million.
Defence equipment supplier QinetiQ rallied 5.8% to 339.6p upgrading its annual guidance, citing stronger orders and margins in the fourth quarter.
QinetiQ said it now expected to post an underlying operating profit for the year through March of at least £147 million.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca added 1.0% to £72.40 said its lung cancer drug had been approved in China after a late-stage study showed the treatment had cut the risk of disease recurrence or death by 80%.
Recruitment company Robert Walters climbed 2.8% to 652p said its first-quarter gross profit had fallen 12%, but was nevertheless ahead of expectations and it upgraded its guidance for the year.
Real estate company British Land edged back less than 0.1% to 509p said it had collected 82% of total rent for fiscal 2021.
Real estate company Great Portland Estates shed 0.3% to 689.54p said it had collected 84% of rent for the year ended 31 March, with collections in the final quarter ahead of all four previous quarters.
Build-to-rent and student accommodation developer Watkin Jones firmed 1.8% to 233p said it expected to report a first-half operating profit slightly down year-on-year, but in line with its expectations.
Industrial chain maker Renold added 1.2% to 22.06p said its annual revenue had fallen 13%, though trading had improved in the latter part of the year.
Renolds fourth-quarter order intake rose 10% year-on-year, though revenue fell 8.3%, being held back by constraints on global supply chains emerging from the pandemic.