FTSE 100 finishes flat; US stocks up at midday, including GameStop

• FTSE 100 up a fraction of a point
• US stocks higher
• Lego to hire new tech experts in the UK

4:50pm: FTSE 100 outperformed by its US counterpart

The FTSE 100 closed almost exactly flat, ticking up less than a tenth of a point to end for the second day in a row at 6,730. The FTSE 250 added 25 points, 0.1%, to 21,407.

“In a similar fashion to yesterday, the overall mood in European equity markets is positive but the FTSE 100 is underperforming in comparison with the major indices in mainland Europe,” CMC Markets UK analyst David Madden said in a statement. “The subdued activity in government bond yields is helping equities again. Mining stocks like BHP Group, Anglo American and Rio Tinto are weighing on the index. Financials like, Standard Chartered, Barclays, and Prudential are also hurting the UK market.”

Across the pond, the Dow was up 355 points, 1.1%, to 32,187 at midday. The Nasdaq gained 22 points, 0.2%, to 13,096, and the S&P 500 picked up 21 points, 0.5%, to 3,896.

“The bulls are in control on Wall Street following the inflation report,” Madden wrote. “As expected by economists, the headline US CPI reading for February rose to 1.7%. It was a jump from the 1.4% registered in January.”

() is up more than 30% to $329.80, but a new company underwent a direct listing Wednesday that could also have meme stock potential: (NYSE:RBLX). The online video game operator traded at around $71, well above its reference price per share of $45 on Tuesday.

3.45pm: Lego to make new UK hires amid digital push

The Footsie yo-yoed back in the red shortly before close despite the positive start in Wall Street, dipping 1 point to 6,728.

Lego is planning to hire new tech experts in the UK, Denmark and China as part of plans to hike its digital offering.

The Danish toymaker posted a stellar performance for 2020, including the launch of a new Super Mario set blending physical and digital experience.

“For the past two years we’ve made large-scale investments in initiatives designed to support long-term growth,” chief executive Niels Christiansen told the BBC.

“We are accelerating our digital transformation. This is a big investment area for customers and suppliers.”

On Wednesday, the firm reported a net profit for the year of 9.9bn Danish kroner (£1.1bn), up 19% year-on-year, while revenues climbed 13% to 43.7bn kroner (£5.4bn) after a 21% spike in consumer sales.

3.15pm: Proactive North America headlines:

() (FRA:20MP) (OTCQB:MVMDF)achieves a water solubilized selamectin product using its Quicksol technology

() () (FRA:1XMA) releases prospecting results from its ground near historic Kenville mine in BC

Inc (TSE:BRAG) (OTCMKTS:BRGGF) (FRA:SL4A) subsidiary ORYX inks revenue-sharing agreement with Premier Gaming

Alternus Energy Group PLC (NOTC:ALT) shows turn to positive EBITDA and strong revenue growth in financial results for the year ended December 31, 2020

Naturally Splendid Enterprises Ltd () () (FRA:50N) to ship 20 tons of hulled hemp seed to South Korea

Inc () (FRA:6ZY) says it is fully funded into 2024; lays out plans to advance four Zygel indications in 4Q results

Gungnir Resources Inc () (OTCPINK:ASWRF) (FRA:AMO1) outlines this year’s exploration plans at Swedish assets

OTC Markets Group () introduces Excel-based data sets associated with Bank Call Reports and Bank Holding Company Y-9 Financial Statements

Empower Clinics Inc () (OTCQB:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC) and MedX Health to pilot MedX’s teledermatology screening platform at two Empower Clinics locations in Ontario

Mining Inc () (OTCQX:HGGOF) reaches ‘turning point’ at Alaska project after Northeast Offset (NEO) target drilling

ImagineAR Inc () (OTCQB:IPNFF) (FRA:GMS1) launches AR-infused NFT creation engine Oasis Digital Studios with blockchain company Liquid Avatar Technologies

Benchmark Metals Inc () (OTCQB:CYRTF) (FRA:87CA) releases more encouraging drill results from AGB zone at Lawyers

Hannan Metals Limited ()…