• FTSE 100 down 0.3%, FTSE 250 up 0.3%
• NatWest lost on lacklustre guidance
• XP Pensions jumped on upbeat revenue forecast

Feb 14 (Reuters) - British equities were mixed on Friday, with a stronger sterling hurting export-oriented firms, while encouraging earnings from XP Pensions provided a lift to the midcap index.

The export-heavy FTSE 100 (.FTSE) , opens new tab slipped by 0.3% at 1047 GMT, after achieving record highs for three consecutive sessions earlier this week, and remained on track to secure a 0.5% gain for the week, marking its third straight weekly increase.

The pound gained in anticipation of a higher UK inflation data for January, due next week, that should cement the consensus expectation for the Bank of England to leave interest rates unchanged in March.

The yield on the UK 10-year benchmark gilt saw a slight uptick in the session, also adding downward pressure.

British bank NatWest (NWG.L) , opens new tab lost 3.7%, after giving a lackluster guidance, further adding to the losses in the benchmark index.

"Guidance lacks a punch," says Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, adding that the 2025 outlook is in line with expectations, which may cause some weakness in early trading.

Keeping losses at check, Segro (SGRO.L) , opens new tab gained about 0.2%, after the warehousing group reported a 15% jump in profit in 2024.

British bookmakers Entain (ENT.L) , opens new tab and Flutter Entertainment (FLTRF.L) , opens new tab rose 4.5% and 5.4%, respectively, after U.S. peer Draftkings (DKNG.O) , opens new tab raised its 2025 revenue forecast.

The FTSE 250 (.FTMC) , opens new tab gained 0.3%, boosted from XP Pensions (XPS.L) , opens new tab, that jumped 10.7%, their highest since October 16, after an upbeat revenue forecast. The index was set to gain 0.8% this week.

On the flip side, John Wood Group (WG.L) , opens new tab plummeted 32.1%, after the British engineering firm said its free cash flow would be negative this year, instead of positive as previously expected.

Meanwhile, European shares were on track for their eighth straight week of gains.

Among sectoral performers, industrial metals & mining (.FTNMX551020) , opens new tab were the biggest gainer, rising 2.7%, as copper prices climbed to three-month highs.

Precious metals & mining (.FTNMX551030) , opens new tab gained 1.7%. Gold prices rose and were on track for a seventh consecutive weekly gain.

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https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/british-equities-set-modest-weekly-gains-higher-pound-drags-2025-02-14/