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FTSE 100 falls 0.5%, FTSE 250 drops 0.3%
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BP rises 2.3% on forecasting higher upstream output for Q2
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SSP Group ( SSPPF ) slumps on UBS downgrade
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Personal goods lead sectoral declines with Burberry ( BBRYF ) down
2%
July 11(Reuters) - London's main stock indexes slipped
on Friday as weaker-than-expected GDP data and escalating
U.S.-led trade tensions weighed on sentiment, a day after the
blue-chip FTSE 100 hit a record high.
The internationally oriented FTSE 100 fell 0.5% by
0925 GMT but was on track for a third week of gains. The midcap
index dropped 0.3% and was also set for weekly gains.
Britain's economy shrank for a second consecutive month in
May, as declines in industrial output and construction
outweighed growth in services, adding to domestic challenges for
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves.
"It will now take something quite special for the UK to
avoid an outright contraction in GDP in Q2, which doesn't appear
at all likely quite frankly given the perfect storm of downside
risks," said Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at global
financial services firm Ebury.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his trade
war by announcing 35% tariffs on Canada on Thursday, while
adding that blanket tariffs of 15% or 20% would be implemented
on most other trading partners.
Sectoral gains on Friday were led by precious metal miners
with safe-haven gold rising on the expanding
trade war.
Fresnillo added 2% while Hochschild and
Endeavour rose 1.6% and 1%, respectively.
Energy giant BP shares rose 2.3% to top of the
blue-chip after the company forecasted a higher upstream output
production for second-quarter driving gains for oil and gas
stocks.
Losses on the day were led by personal good stocks
with luxury brand Burberry dropping
2.2%. Dr. Martens ( DOCMF ) fell 1.5%.
Traders are currently pricing in a 78.6% chance of a rate
cut during August's Bank of England meeting, according to data
compiled by LSEG.
Among individual stocks, restaurant chain operator SSP Group ( SSPPF )
was the top loser on the midcap, falling 6.6% after UBS
downgraded it to "sell".
($1 = 0.7384 pounds)