(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock

markets, click or type LIVE/ in a news window)

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FTSE 100 adds 0.3%. FTSE 250 falls 0.5%

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Spectris ( SEPJF ) rises after accepting improved takeover offer

from KKR

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Bytes Technology slumps after profit warning

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Greggs ( GGGSF ) falls after saying profits could dip

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National Grid slips with failures leading to Heathrow fire

By Twesha Dikshit

July 2(Reuters) -

London's blue-chip stock index edged higher and the midcap

index fell on Wednesday as investors assessed a mixed bag of

corporate news, including a media report that AstraZeneca is

moving its listing to the U.S.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 added 0.2% while the

domestically focussed midcap index fell 0.5% by 0930

GMT.

FTSE's most valuable company AstraZeneca is considering

moving its listing to the U.S., the Times reported on Thursday,

citing multiple sources.

"The CEO seems frustrated at the lack of financial support

to open new laboratories and manufacturing facilities in Europe

and might see a full U.S. stock listing as a stepping stone to

receiving better treatment Stateside," said Dan Coatsworth,

investment analyst at AJ Bell.

The UK stock market has lost out on major initial public

offerings in recent months including money transfer firm Wise

and online fast fashion retailer Shein, with

Brexit-related challenges pressuring UK market valuations.

Gains on Wednesday were led by industrial metals and mining

stocks tracking higher metal prices. Glencore ( GLCNF )

rose 3.2% and Ferrexpo ( FEEXF ) and Antofagasta ( ANFGF )

were both up 2.3%.

Oil and gas companies gained 1.6%, with

heavyweights BP and Shell adding 2.2% and 1%

each.

Among individual stocks, Spectris ( SEPJF ) gained 4.6% after

the firm agreed to a debt-inclusive 4.7 billion pounds ($6.46

billion) offer from KKR over Advent's rival offer.

Bytes Technology slumped 26% to the bottom of the

midcap after warning of lower operating profit for the first

half of 2026.

British fast food chain Greggs ( GGGSF ) fell 14.1% on saying

its annual operating profit could dip as a heatwave in the UK

discouraged customers from eating out.

Restaurant chain operator SSP Group ( SSPPF ) climbed to the

top of the midcap index, rising almost 8% after filing for

Indian IPO of airport lounge operator Travel Food Services.