BUZZ-M&B: top midcap loser as 'fragile' consumer confidence hits profit

** British pubs, bars and restaurants operator Mitchells & Butlers -4.5%, top FTSE midcap loser & worst day in over 3 months

** H1 PBT -9.6% to 75 mln stg, 28-weeks to April 8 LFL sales growth slows to 1.6% from 4.7% for four weeks to Jan. 7

** Says consumer confidence has remained fragile throughout this year and last & notes inflationary pressure

** Nearly 50% 30-day daily avg vol through in 1 hr 10 mins of trade

** Stock widens YTD underperformance against midcap index after results