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* FTSE 100 down 0.3%, FTSE 250 nearly flat
May 20 (Reuters) - The UK's FTSE 100 dipped on Wednesday as
data showed inflation fell to its lowest since August 2016 in
the latest sign of the economic blow from the coronavirus
outbreak, with investors also digesting another mixed bag of
quarterly earnings reports.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE was down 0.3%, as a report
also questioned positive data from an early-stage trial of a
potential coronavirus vaccine.
But the mid-cap FTSE 250 .FTMC was nearly unchanged,
supported by a 6.1% jump for gambling software maker Playtech
Plc PTEC.L , which posted a jump in first-quarter profit as its
financial trading division benefited from increased market
volatility and trading volumes. Engine-maker Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc RR.L shed 0.1% as it
said it could close some of its factories as part of a programme
to cut 9,000 jobs in response to the crisis in the global
aviation industry. Retailer Marks & Spencer Group Plc MKS.L rose 4.4% as it
said it would accelerate its latest turnaround programme after
reporting a 21% fall in annual profit.