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* FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 flat
* NMC tumbles again
* Markets to shut early on Tuesday ahead of Christmas
Dec 24 (Reuters) - London's main index drifted lower in thin
holiday trading on Tuesday after nine straight sessions of
gains, weighed down by exporter stocks, while the midcaps were
largely flat amid a lack of major drivers.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE inched 0.2% lower in early deals as the
sterling steadied, leading more internationally-exposed firms
such as BAT BATS.L lower. The bourse still hovered around a
near five-month high hit in the previous session.
The mid-cap FTSE 250 .FTMC is on course to rise for the
fourth straight month in the aftermath of Prime Minister Boris
Johnson's election victory.
NMC Health NMC.L , which rallied almost 37% on Monday after
saying it would launch an independent review of its books,
declined nearly 10%. Its shares have been battered since
short-selling firm Muddy Waters questioned its financials last
week.
UK markets will shut early on Tuesday and remain closed for
Christmas and Boxing Day on Wednesday and Thursday.