* FTSE 100, FTSE 250 about flat
* Trade tensions, Brexit uncertainty curb risk sentiment
* GSK rises after ovarian cancer study results
* Metro Bank jumps on report Elliott considering taking
stake
(Adds news items, analyst comment, updates share prices)
By Shashwat Awasthi
Sept 30 (Reuters) - UK shares were largely unchanged on
Monday as investors opted for a wait-and-watch approach amid
simmering U.S.-China trade tensions and Brexit worries, and as
scant corporate news failed to spur significant stock moves.
The exporter-heavy FTSE 100 index was roughly flat,
but hovered close to a near two-month high, while the mid-cap
index was also flat by 0800 GMT.
Both indexes look set to post gains for the month, bouncing
back from losses in August that were triggered by escalating
trade jitters and accompanying fears of a global recession, as
well as sustained Brexit anxiety.
The FTSE 100 index is on track for its best month since June
and the domestically-focussed FTSE 250 was on course for its
biggest monthly rise since April.
GlaxoSmithKline added 1.5% after its maintenance
therapy for a form of ovarian cancer reduced the risk of disease
progression or death, while AstraZeneca dipped 1.8%
despite a positive reading of its ovarian cancer treatment.
The two blue-chip stocks were the most notable movers on a
rather subdued day that also saw modest gains in Asia-focussed
banks such as HSBC and Prudential, though
sentiment around U.S.-China trade remained uneasy.
Sources said on Friday that Washington was considering
de-listing Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges, casting
further doubt on whether the protracted trade dispute could be
resolved soon.
There was also very little action on the Brexit front, with
market participants left waiting for what may happen next in
Britain's already chaotic process to exit the European Union.
"Investors have two of the horsemen front and centre this
week - it's a case of trade tensions ad nauseum, Brexit ad
infinitum," Markets.com analyst Neil Wilson said.
Small-cap Metro Bank advanced 9% after a report
that activists led by Elliott Advisors were mulling taking a
stake in the lender.
Metro's shares have already shed nearly 90% in value this
year after a major loan book error and had slumped to an
all-time low last week after it scrapped a bond sale.
Among mid-caps, HomeServe added 4% after RBC raised
its rating and nearly doubled its price target on the home
repairs provider, while Sirius Minerals and Airtel
Africa rose nearly 14% each.
(Reporting by Shashwat Awasthi in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernard
Orr)
