FTSE 100 slips after BoE cuts rate as expected but flags higher inflation
BoE forecasts higher inflation, growth
Focus on Fed decision
BT slides after cutting revenue forecast
FTSE 100 down 0.3%, FTSE 250 up 0.9%
Updated at 1650 GMT
By Sruthi Shankar
Nov 7 (Reuters) -The UK's FTSE 100 slipped on Thursday after the Bank of England (BoE) cut interest rates as expected but projected higher inflation and economic growth following the new government's first budget.
The FTSE 100 .FTSE closed down 0.3%, with the export-oriented index weighed down by a 0.8% rise in the pound after the rate decision.
The Monetary Policy Committee voted 8-1 to cut rates to 4.75% from 5%, in-line with investors' expectations.
The central bank predicted that finance minister Rachel Reeves' budget last week - which includes significant increases in tax, spending, and borrowing - would likely add just under half a percentage point to the inflation rate at its peak in over two years, causing inflation to take a year longer to return sustainably to its 2% target.
Additionally, the BoE forecast that the budget would boost Britain's economy by about 0.75% next year.
"The Chancellor's decision to loosen fiscal policy is expected to provide a boost to demand in the medium term, though the MPC remains wary," said Jeremy Batstone-Carr, European strategist at Raymond James Investment Services.
"A cautious approach going forward also nods in response to the results of the U.S. presidential election this week, the impact of which on future trade policy and the global economy is yet to be established."
UK stock markets fluctuated on Wednesday following Republican Donald Trump's U.S. presidential election victory, with investors concerned about potential tariffs under a Trump presidency impacting the European economy.
Attention now turns to the Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day, with markets largely anticipating a 25 basis point rate cut.
The FTSE 250 midcap index .FTMC rose 0.9%, helped by a 13% jump in electronics products distributor RS Group RS1R.L following its first-half results.
BT BT.L fell 3.6% after Britain's biggest broadband and mobile company reduced its full-year revenue forecast from broadly flat to down 1-2%.
Rolls-Royce RR.L dropped about 4% after it stuck to guidance for annual profit growth of at least 30% this year.
John Wood Group WG.L plummeted 60% following an 8% decline in its third-quarter order book.
Reporting by Sruthi Shankar and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid, Alexandra Hudson
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.