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* FTSE 100 up 0.1 pct
* Trade tensions weigh on stocks
* WPP drops after co to probe CEO(Updates prices, adds details)
By Kit Rees and Helen Reid
The blue-chip FTSE 100 closed 0.1 percent higher,while mid-caps fell 0.7 percent.
The FTSE recovered from sharp losses at the open, when itslid along with other European indexes after
Worries over global trade have weighed on stocks over thepast month, with the Trump administration set to unveil a listof Chinese advanced technology imports targeted for
"It's more (about) the second-order effects on global growthsentiment, and the fact that this is all arriving at a timewhere some of the leading indicators have been rolling overanyway," Ian Williams, economics & strategy research analyst atPeel Hunt, said.
The FTSE 100 was the only European index to end in positiveterritory, a feat investors put down to its strong weighting indefensive sectors less vulnerable in a sell-off.
"Generally, at times like this historically the
Pharmaceutical stocks Shire and GlaxoSmithKlinewere among the biggest gainers, while precious metalsminer Fresnillo was up 1.1 percent, as gold isconsidered a safe-haven asset.
Cigarette firms British American Tobacco andImperial Brands, and consumer goods giants Diageoand Unilever, also gained as investors rushedinto high dividend-paying stocks.
Sectors which are more sensitive to the economic cycle, suchas financials and materials, were the biggest weights.
Miners Anglo American, BHP Billiton,Glencore and Rio Tinto fell 2.5 to 3.2 percentas metals prices sank. Investors worried that tariffs maydisrupt metal imports to
Shares in WPP fell 2 percent after the advertising groupsaid it was investigating an allegation of personal misconductagainst its CEO, Martin Sorrell, who denied wrongdoing.
"Given (Sorrell's) high profile, the accusations are boundto attract a lot of attention and, given he is the face of WPPto many, there is likely to be a negative impact on sentimenttoday," Liberum analysts said.
"One thing this may do is intensify talk about Sir Martin'ssuccessor at WPP, which has been an issue lurking in thebackground," they added.
While individual stock moves were relatively muted, sharesin Morrisons were the top gainers, up 2.9 percent afterfavourable data from Kantar on the supermarket's performance.
The data showed Morrison and peer Tesco continuedto outperform rival "big four" supermarkets in the 12 weeks toMarch 25, with both enjoying sales growth of 2.4 percent. Sharesin Tesco however declined 0.7 percent.
Among small-caps, Topps Tiles shares tumbled 13.3percent to a four-month low after the flooring retailer saidsales had been hit by a weaker market and bad weather.(Reporting by Kit ReesEditing by Robin Pomeroy)
