LONDON, Feb 1 — UK stocks inched higher today after a slate of positive corporate updates, although the mood was tempered by concerns about a slowing British economy and upcoming monetary policy decisions.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 gained 0.3 per cent by 0815 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 index climbed 0.4 per cent.

Entain climbed 2.3 per cent after the gambling firm raised its annual profit forecast.

ITV rose 3.0 per cent after Reuters reported veteran Hollywood producer Peter Chernin and French TV production group Banijay’s parent had expressed interest in the British broadcaster.

Darktrace shares added 1.9 per cent after the cybersecurity firm announced share buybacks, a day after a short-seller report knocked its shares by as much as 10 per cent.

Housing stocks fell 0.4 per cent as data showed British house prices dropped by a bigger-than-expected 0.6 per cent in January and are now 3.2 per cent below their peak in August, following a surge in borrowing costs. — Reuters