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By Ankika Biswas

Oct 25 (Reuters) -London's blue-chip stock index slipped on Friday and was on track for weekly losses, as investors assessed a mixed bag of corporate earnings ahead of the highly awaited first budget from the country's new government next week.

The FTSE 100 .FTSE was 0.1% down as of 0930 GMT, while the domestically focused mid-cap FTSE 250 .FTMC edged up 0.1%, with both the indexes poised for weekly declines.

Medical equipments .FTNMX201020 was the worst-hit sector on the day, down 2%, and even for the week.

Airtel Africa AAF.L slumped 6% to its lowest level since early September, after the telecommunications services provider reported a double-digit fall in half-yearly operating profit.

On the flip side, NatWest NWG.L jumped 4% to its highest levels since 2011 after raising its income forecast for 2024, boosting the banks index .FTNMX301010.

With the budget scheduled for Oct. 30, UK's finance minister Rachel Reeves faces a tough task to raise the tax revenues needed to invest more in public services and new infrastructure. Further, a fresh report showed Reeves was also seeking to change fiscal rules.

A survey showed British consumer confidence fell to the lowest level since March amid concerns about possible tax hikes.

Among other movers, Intertek Group ITRK.L lost nearly 3% after HSBC initiated coverage on the British product testing firm's stock with a "reduce" rating.

Abrdn ABDN.L shares fell for the second day, down nearly 3% on Friday, after deeper-than-expected outflows of client funds in the third quarter.

Reporting by Ankika Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by

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