UPDATE 2-Meggitt, real estate stocks lead FTSE 250 higher; Equiniti shines

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* Equiniti jumps after $949 mln take-private deal

* Johnson Matthey falls on hit to short-term cash flow

* FTSE 100 down 0.1%, FTSE 250 adds 0.1%
(Updates with market close)

By Shivani Kumaresan and Devik Jain

May 27 (Reuters) - British midcaps edged higher on Thursday,
outperforming the blue-chip index for a third straight session
led by gains in Meggitt and real estate stocks, while Equiniti
Group jumped after agreeing to a take-private deal.

The domestically focused FTSE 250 index rose 0.1%,
with aero and defence stocks adding 1.7%. Meggitt
gained 3.1% after UBS upgraded the stock to "neutral"
from "sell".

The FTSE 100 traded flat, with base metal miners
adding 2.9% and offsetting losses in oil majors
BP and Royal Dutch Shell.

The Bank of England could raise interest rates as soon as
the first half of next year if the job market bounces back
faster than expected, but it is more likely to wait until later
in 2022, BoE policymaker Gertjan Vlieghe said.

“There is a relative dearth of economic data which could
push markets in any particular direction in the coming days,
although a second estimate of first quarter US GDP later on
Thursday could renew focus on inflationary pressures,
particularly if the already elevated number is revised upwards,"
said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

The FTSE 100 index has gained 8.8% year-to-date on optimism
that speedy vaccine rollouts and constant policy support from
the government would drive a stronger recovery from a
pandemic-led recession.

Among other stocks, Equiniti Group jumped 6.5% after
the British administration services and payments specialist
agreed to be taken over by a new company backed by
private-equity firm Siris Capital in a 673 million pound ($949
million) deal.

Johnson Matthey slipped 3.6% after the chemicals
maker warned that rising metal prices could hit its cash flow.

Insurer Aviva rose 3.2% after it recorded steady
sales performance in its life insurance business and a 4% rise
in general insurance, and repeated its promise to give cash back
to shareholders.
(Reporting by Shivani Kumaresan and Devik Jain in Bengaluru;
Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Jane Merriman)