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FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 up 0.3%

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Defence stocks down after Rheinmetall's disappointing

results

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Hikma Pharmaceuticals ( HKMPF ) down after quarterly results

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WPP ( WPP ) shares hit lowest since 2009 after dividend cut

Aug 7 (Reuters) - British benchmark index FTSE 100

slipped on Thursday, as investors weighed a mixed bag of

corporate results and awaited the Bank of England's rate

decision due later in the day.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 was down 0.2% as of 0927 GMT.

The BoE looks poised to cut interest rates for the fifth

time in 12 months on Thursday, but lingering inflation concerns

could divide policymakers and impact future rate decisions.

Investors will closely watch if the central bank maintains its

"gradual and careful" tone on policy easing.

In the market, aerospace and defence stocks

led the sectoral decline, down 2.6%, after German defence

company Rheinmetall missed quarterly results

expectations, dragging down European peers.

Britain's BAE Systems and Babcock were

among the top losers in the FTSE 100, down 4.4% and 4.5%

respectively.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals ( HKMPF ) fell the most in the benchmark

index, down 6.7%, after a strong euro prompted the group to

lower its margin outlook for its injectables unit.

Healthcare stocks fell 1.1%, with AstraZeneca ( AZN )

down 1.5%.

Adding to the sector's woes, U.S. President Donald Trump

said on Tuesday that Washington would initially place a "small

tariff" on pharmaceutical imports, eventually increasing it to

250%.

Additionally, sterling rose against a weakening dollar,

which further pressured the export-oriented companies.

On trade, Trump's higher tariffs of 10% to 50% on dozens of

trading partners kicked in on Thursday, testing his bid to

shrink U.S. trade deficits without triggering inflation, supply

chain disruptions or retaliation from trading partners.

Meanwhile, the domestically focused midcap FTSE 250

rose 0.3%, with Harbour Energy's ( PMOIF ) 12.6% jump after the

oil and gas producer raised its annual forecast.

Among other individual stocks, InterContinental Hotels Group ( IHG )

rose 6.7% following the Holiday Inn owner reported

a jump in first-half profit.

WPP ( WPP ) fell 2.7%, touching its lowest since July 2009,

after the British ad group halved its interim dividend.