12 January 2021 | 08:36am StockMarketWire.com - UK stocks tracked sideways in early trade on Tuesday as fears about the economic impact of a third nationwide Covid-19 lockdown were tempered by a bevvy of company earnings upgrades. At 0824, the benchmark FTSE 100 index had inched 2.04 points, or less than 0.1%, lower to 6,796.44. Home improvement retailer Kingfisher added 3.5% to 289.2p on announcing that it was 'comfortable' with the top end of current market expectations for its annual pre-tax profit as 'strong' demand continued. House builder Vistry rallied 3.6% to 984.5p, having guided for a full-year profit at the upper end of forecasts and resumption of dividends with a 'modest' final payout.