For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
Stocks in London slumped on Thursday, tracking US and European counterparts, as investors weighed rate calls in Europe and the UK and as merger talks between Glencore and Rio Tinto collapsed once more.
The FTSE 100 index closed down 93.12 points, 0.9%, at 10,309.22.
The FTSE 250 ended down 229.80 points, 1.0%, at 23,103.35, and the AIM All-Share fell 11.45 points, 1.4%, at 802.90.
The Bank of England (BoE) left the bank rate unchanged at 3.75% on Thursday, by a slim 5-4 majority.
Governor Andrew Bailey once more proved crucial as he supported leaving rates on hold, after backing a cut in December.
Despite the hold, Mr Bailey in a post-decision press conference said “disinflation is on track and is running ahead of the schedule expected in November”.
However, he added that service price inflation and wage growth need to “fall further” for the Monetary Policy Committee to be co
Continue Reading on The Independent
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.