Frasers Group jumps on share buyback program
Darktrace up after announcing thirdparty finance review
Miners shine on higher metal prices
FTSE 100 off 0.1, FTSE 250 slips 0.2

Feb 20 Reuters UK39;s FTSE 100 was muted on Monday, as strength in mining stocks negated losses in consumer stocks, while Frasers Group jumped after the retailer announced a share buyback program.

The bluechip index slipped 0.1, trading just below the 8,000 pointmark it hit last week. The domestically focussed FTSE 250 midcap index slipped 0.2.

Frasers Group climbed 3.1 to the top of the FTSE 100 after the sports goods retailer said it intends to commence a new share buyback programme.

Industrial metal miners rose 0.9 as investors bet on a recovery in demand from top consumer China amid support from global mining supply disruptions.

A lot of it is probably stemming from the reopening we39;ve seen in China, said Stuart Cole, head macro economist at Equiti Capital.

The anticipation is that if we see Chinese manufacturing activity pick up, then we39;re going to see increasing demand for commodities and we39;re seeing it reflected in their stock prices.

On the flip side, declines in consumer stocks such as Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser Group weighed on the FTSE 100.

The bluechip index has risen more than 7 so far this year, hitting a series of record highs on the way, supported by upbeat earnings, a weak pound and rising commodity prices.

Most European markets seesawed on Monday. The U.S….