The London Stock Exchange ended Tuesday’s session mixed, with the globally focused FTSE 100 up 0.2% and the domestically oriented FTSE 250 down 0.2%.
The FTSE 100 was buoyed by the postponement of new US tariffs on China and US inflation figures that broadly met expectations.
However, stockbroker AJ Bell noted the market was “feeling less warm and fuzzy” than the US, with even blue-chip shares struggling to make significant gains.
The FTSE 250 slipped after data showed ongoing weakness in the UK labour market. ING observed that while conditions are cooling, a smaller drop in payroll employment may indicate the worst is over.
Stronger wage growth, the bank added, suggests the Bank of England could still cut rates in November, although “last week’s hawkish meeting” has made the outlook less certain.
