Author: 123jump.com Staff
123jump.com
Last Update: 2:26 PM EDT May 07 2008

UK stocks edged higher in a day of mixed trading. UK manufacturing declined in March after rising in February. The index that tracks factory output fell 0.5% in March after rising 0.4% in February. Sharp decline in transportation equipment in the month led all categories in the manufacturing industries. BAT, the cigarette maker reported 14% rise in sales to £2.54 billion and earnings gain of 21% to £599 million. Global sales unit volume rose 1% to 158 billion cigarettes.