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• FTSE 100 up 0.4 pct; FTSE 250 up 0.1 pct
• PM May faces leadership challenge
• Superdry and Dixons dent confidence in retail sector

LONDON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - UK blue-chip shares were slightly higher on Wednesday on gains in British American Tobacco, Rolls Royce and companies with international earnings, as political chaos deepened following a leadership challenge to Prime Minister Theresa May.

The FTSE 100 .FTSE was up 0.4 percent at 0844 GMT, with HSBC, which makes a big chunk of its revenue abroad, the biggest contributor to the market's gains.

The more domestically focused midcap index .FTMC which makes 50 percent of its income from the UK, was flat in choppy trade as investors digested news that May faced a no confidence vote against her later in the day, the latest twist in the saga over the country's divorce from the European Union.

The pound was up 0.3 percent, suggesting traders reckon she will win the vote.

Mining stocks, BHP Group BHPB.L and Rio Tinto RIO.L , were among the top gainers in line with higher base metals prices, following U.S. President Donald Trump's upbeat comments about a trade deal with China, while the dollar held near a one-month peak against its peers.

Wood Group WG.L fell 6.2 percent to the bottom of the FTSE as its cautious outlook on contracts as its oil-producing clients struggle with volatile prices offset an upbeat earnings outlook.

Housebuilders Persimmon PSN.L , Taylor Wimpey TW.L , Berkeley Group BKGH.L and Barratt Development BDEV.L fell 0.9 to 1.4 percent as investors shunned stocks seen as some of the most sensitive to a hard Brexit.

Retailers Next NXT.L and Marks & Spencers MKS.L were also among top fallers, down 1.8 and 1.3 percent respectively, as disappointing news from clothes retailer Superdry SDRY.L and phone and electronics chain Dixons Carphone further dented confidence in the battered retail sector.

Superdry plunged 32 percent and Dixons sank 10 percent on the midcap index, while Metro Bank lost 5.7 percent after a Citi downgrade.

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UK stock report FTSE index: 0#.FTS6

 techMARK 100 index:  .FTT1X		  FTSE future	  0#FFI:   
 Gilt future		0#FLG:		  Smallcap index:	 .FTSC   
 FTSE 250 index:	  .FTMC		   FTSE 350 index:	 .FTLC   
 Market digest:	   .AD.L		   Top 10 by vol:	  .AV.L   
 Top price gainer   .NG.L		   Top % gainer	  .PG.L   
 Top price loser	.NL.L		   Top % loser	   .PL.L   
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 UK hot stock	  [HOT and GB]	 Wall Street:			 
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 European Equities speed guide................  EUR/EQUITY   

FTSE Eurotop 300 index........................... .FTEU3 DJ STOXX index................................... .STOXX Top 10 STOXX sectors........................ .PGL.STOXXS Top 10 EUROSTOXX sectors................... .PGL.STOXXES Top 10 Eurotop 300 sectors.................. .PGL.FTEU3S Top 25 European pct gainers.................... .PG.PEUR Top 25 European pct losers..................... .PL.PEUR ))