India, Feb. 21 -- U.K. stocks are mostly subdued Friday morning with investors making largely cautious moves while digesting data on the nation's manufacturing and services sector activity as well a report on retail sales.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 13.20 points or 0.15% at 8,676.17.
Standard Chartered is gaining 4.5% after reporting its biggest earnings in a decade. The lender reported a net profit of $4.28 billion, with EPS rising to $1.41, well above forecasts. The bank, which attributed the strong performance to record growth in its wealth management division and robust market activity, has also announced a $1.5 billion share buyback.
Centrica is up 3.5%, extending recent gains. Diageo is rising 2.5%, while Sainsbury, Marks & Spen...