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Correcting the second and third paragraphs for UK GDP data<\/p>\n
U.K. stocks were subdued on Tuesday, with a stronger pound and caution ahead of key U.S. inflation data due out later in the day keeping underlying sentiment cautious. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, official data revealed earlier in the day that the U.K. economy<\/span> expanded in February though lockdown restrictions were in place to varying degrees across all four nations of the country.<\/p>\n Gross domestic product grew 0.4 percent, following a revised 2.2 percent fall in January. This was slower than the expected growth of 0.6 percent. February’s GDP was 7.8 percent below the levels seen in February 2020, data showed.<\/p>\n Another government report showed that the visible trade gap widened to GBP 16.44 billion in February from GBP 12.59 billion in January. On a monthly basis, exports and imports of goods increased 9.9 percent and 17.4 percent, respectively.<\/p>\n The benchmark FTSE 100 was down about 5 points at 6,883 after losing 0.4 percent on Monday.<\/p>\n Miners Anglo American, Antofagasta and Glencore rose between half a percent and 1.2 percent after customs data showed Chinese exports climbed 30.6 percent in dollar terms in March from a year earlier.<\/p>\n BP Plc and Royal Dutch Shell were down about 1 percent even as oil prices ticked up amid Middle East tensions. <\/p>\n Defense contractor Babcock International jumped 33 percent on restructuring news. <\/p>\n Hays rallied 2.3 percent after the recruiter said it expects annual profit to be ahead of market expectations. <\/p>\n JD Sports Fashion climbed 3 percent as the retailer reinstated dividend payments and forecast higher earnings for the current year.<\/p>\n Online food ordering company Just Eat Takeaway gained 2.6 percent after saying its first-quarter orders rose 79 percent. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n Market Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n