FTSE 100 Holds Steady Ahead Of BoE Rate Decision
(RTTNews) - U.K. stocks held steady on Thursday ahead of a policy meeting of the Bank of England (BoE) later in the day.
The central bank is set to hold its policy rate flat for a sixth meeting in a row, with focus likely to be on the MPC vote split, inflation outlook and Governor Andrew Bailey's comments.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was marginally higher at 8,361 after rising half a percent on Wednesday.
Oil & gas stocks traded higher as crude prices extended overnight gains on positive trade data from China. BP Plc climbed 0.8 percent and Shell added half a percent.
Oil services company John Wood Group added about 1 percent after confirming its FY24 and FY25 guidance.
ITV rallied 1.8 percent despite the broadcaster reporting a fall in first-quarter revenues.
BAE Systems rose 0.7 percent. The arms, security and aerospace company backed its FY24 outlook after delivering a strong performance so far this year.
U.S. Dollar Drops After Powell's Speech
TSX Hits New Record High As Stocks Rally On Fed Rate Cut Hopes
Powell Says Outlook, Shifting Balance Of Risks 'May Warrant' Lower Rates
Bay Street Likely To Open On Mixed Note; Powell's Speech Eyed
Sensex, Nifty Snap Six-day Winning Streak On Tariff Concerns
FTSE 100 Down Slightly; Standard Chartered Shares Up Sharply
U.S. Dollar Rises Ahead Of Fed's Powell Speech
