British stocks mixed as investors assess US inflation, UK labour market report

Reuters
14 May
UPDATE 1-British stocks mixed as investors assess US inflation, UK labour market report

UK jobs market cools further

FTSE 100 flat, FTSE 250 up 0.6%

Updates after market close

May 13 (Reuters) - British stocks ended mixed on Tuesday, as investors assessed a tick up in U.S. inflation data, while signs of a cooling UK labour market fuelled speculation over the Bank of England's future rate decisions.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 .FTSE was nearly flat, while the domestically focused midcap index .FTMC gained 0.6%.

The U.S. consumer prices rebounded moderately in April, rising 0.2% after a 0.1% dip in March. Inflation is expected to pick up in coming months as tariffs boost import costs.

Following the report, traders leaned into bets that the Federal Reserve would hold off on lowering interest rates until September.

Back home, Britain's jobs market showed further signs of a slowdown as employment fell and growth in wages cooled. That is likely to reassure the BoE that inflation pressures are waning.

Last week, the central bank cut rates by 25 basis points to tackle the expected hit from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, but a surprise three-way split among policymakers cooled expectations that it might speed up future moves.

On the stock indexes, industrial metal miners .FTNMX551020 gained 1.4% tracking gains in copper prices. MET/L

Energy .FTNMX601010 sector gained 1.1%, after crude oil futures climbed more than $1 a barrel. O/R

Heavyweight Shell SHEL.L led the gains in the FTSE 100 with a 1.2% rise.

Sales and marketing services provider DCC DCC.L dropped 6.5% to the bottom of the blue-chip index after reporting 2025 adjusted operating profit below estimates.

GSK GSK.L fell nearly 3% after company, along with partner iTeos Therapeutics ITOS.O, announced plans to discontinue lung cancer therapy development.

On Monday, global stocks rallied after the U.S. and China said they would pause their trade war for 90 days, bringing down reciprocal duties and removing other measures while they negotiate a more permanent arrangement.

(Reporting by Sanchayaita Roy, Ragini Mathur and Twesha Dikshit in Bengaluru; Editing by Shreya Biswas and David Gregorio)

((Ragini.Mathur@thomsonreuters.com;))

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 

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

Most Discussed

  1. 1
     
     
     
     
  2. 2
     
     
     
     
  3. 3
     
     
     
     
  4. 4
     
     
     
     
  5. 5
     
     
     
     
  6. 6
     
     
     
     
  7. 7
     
     
     
     
  8. 8
     
     
     
     
  9. 9
     
     
     
     
  10. 10