Bodycote up on annual results, share buyback
Vodafone gains on Italian unit sale
FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 adds 0.2

March 15 Reuters The UK39;s FTSE 100 index was flat on Friday, as investors tracked global downbeat sentiment, with sticky U.S. inflation weighing on hopes of Federal Reserve39;s interest rate cuts, while Vodafone shares jumped after the telecoms major sold its Italian arm.

The exporterheavy FTSE 100 was flat at 7,740.22 by 0914 GMT.

Markets tracked dour sentiment globally, as hotterthanexpected consumer and producer inflation readings dampened hopes of an early rate cut from the Fed, potentially setting the tone for other central banks.

Investors are pleased that the market has done well, but they also worry for what comes next, as the inflation prints have sort of put them on edge that maybe the Fed will be a bit more hawkish next week, IG Group chief market analyst Chris Beauchamp said.

Medical equipment and services, personal goods and personal care stocks led declines, down between 0.7 and 1.3.

Investors will now watch the Bank of England39;s rate decision next week, where it is widely expected to stand pat but unlikely to provide clear indications about when will it first cut rate.

Money markets expect the BoE to keep rates unchanged in the next week39;s meeting and the first cut only from August. 0BOEWATCH

The FTSE 100, however, is set to end the week in the green, snapping three straight weeks of losses as economic data during the week…