April 15 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 closed lower on

Wednesday as healthcare and consumer-facing stocks weighed,

while investors cautiously awaited developments in the Middle

East.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index ended 0.5% lower, in

its biggest one-day decline in over a week, while the midcap

FTSE 250 slipped 0.3%.

* U.S. President Donald Trump said the war was close to

over, as officials from mediator Pakistan arrived in Tehran. A

separate report said the U.S. and Iran were weighing an

extension to the ceasefire.

* Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday, holding below

$100 a barrel. British energy stocks inched 0.8%

lower.

* Banks pared most declines and closed 0.2% lower. They

were the biggest drags earlier in the session.

* Healthcare stocks, which were the

biggest boosts earlier, dragged down the index, with GSK

losing 2.7%.

* The personal goods sector was hurt by a

2.2% drop in Burberry ( BBRYF ) after results from its peers,

Kering and Hermes, disappointed investors.

* Precious metal miners were the biggest

percentage decliners, down 2.2%, as gold inched lower.

* Investors also turned their attention to corporate updates

and earnings to see how companies approach tackling headwinds

from the Middle East conflict.

* Antofagasta ( ANFGF ) said copper production was expected

to rise quarter-on-quarter through the year. The stock, however,

pared early gains to close marginally higher.

* Saga climbed 6% after the over-50s holiday and

insurance group said it was ahead of schedule to reach its

medium-term profit targets.

* Britain's largest homebuilder, Barratt Redrow ( BTDPF ),

slashed its land spending and approval targets, but its shares

were 3.5% higher.