UK's FTSE 100 ends higher as softer CPI boosts rate optimism
For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window
FTSE 100 up 0.6%, FTSE 250 adds 1%
Soft UK CPI supports BoE rate cut bets
Flutter jumps raising full-year outlook
Updated at 1600 GMT
By Shubham Batra and Roshan Abraham
Aug 14 (Reuters) -London stocks ended higher after advancing for a fourth straight session on Wednesday as soft consumer prices data for July strengthened bets that the Bank of England will cut interest rates in its next policy meeting.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE and the midcap FTSE 250 index .FTMC climbed 0.6% and 1%, respectively, and closed at a two-week high.
Most sectors closed with gains, with rate-sensitive sectors like homebuilders .FTNMX402020 gaining 3.4% and were amongst the biggest gainers.
Meanwhile, industrial metal miners .FTNMX551020 slipped nearly 1% as base metals were under pressure after a bigger-than-expected drop in Chinese lending worsened sentiment. MET/L
British consumer price inflation increased for the first time this year in July, official figures showed, but the rise was smaller than expected as services prices - closely watched by the Bank of England - rose less rapidly.
Money markets have raised their bets of BoE cutting rates next month. They now see a 40% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut, up from a 36% possibility on Tuesday.
"Today's numbers should do nothing to dissuade the BoE from continuing to be on a rate cutting path," said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers.
In the U.S., consumer prices rose moderately last month and the annual increase in inflation slowed to below 3% for the first time since early 2021, boosting odds of a U.S. rate cut in September.
"The Fed will do just whatever is necessary to keep the economy moving along steadily, while at the same time continuing to show progress on inflation," Sosnick said.
Among stocks, Flutter FLTRF.L jumped around 10.5% and saw its best day in eight months as the world's largest online betting company raised its full-year outlook after a much better-than-expected second quarter.
Playtech PTEC.L jumped 13.7% to the top of the mid-cap index after Flutter entered talks to buy the gambling technology firm's Italian unit Snaitech.
Reporting by Shubham Batra and Roshan Abraham in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng and Jonathan Oatis
For related prices, Reuters users may click on - * UK stock report .L FTSE index: 0#.FTS6 techMARK 100 index: .FTT1X FTSE futures: 0#FFI: Gilt futures: 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 gainers: .NG.L Top % gainers: .PG.L Top price losers: .NL.L Top % losers: .PL.L * For related news, click on - * UK hot stocks: HOT and GB Wall Street: .N Gilts report: GB/ Euro bond report GVD/EUR Pan European stock report: .EU Tokyo stocks: .T HK stocks: .HK Sterling report: GBP/ Dollar report: USD/ * For company prices, click on - * Company directory: UKEQ By sector: FTAX * For pan-European market data, click on - * 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
Related Assets
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.