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* FTSE 100 about flat, FTSE 250 up 0.3%
* Pound gains on election hopes
* IQE tanks after results warning
* Buyout offer spurs Consort Medical
Nov 18 (Reuters) - British blue-chips held steady on Monday as financial stocks supported the index after its worst weekly performance in four, while mid-caps continued to benefit from polls ahead of a snap election in the country.
The FTSE 100 was little changed by 0805 GMT. The FTSE 250 outshone, rising 0.3% thanks to gains in the local currency on hopes that Conservatives will win the December election and deliver Brexit.
Stand out movers included IQE which plunged 20% after the tech firm warned on results amid issues with two of its main customers, while Consort Medical sky-rocketed 44% and past the 10.1 pound a share bid from Sweden’s Recipharm . (Reporting by Muvija M in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)
