The FTSE 100 closed down 0.4% as investors await U.S. inflation figures for December, with consumer-price data set to be published on Thursday followed by producer prices on Friday. “While housebuilders have propped up the index following Persimmon’s update, broader risk-off sentiment could prevail tomorrow and beyond should U.S. inflation show signs of reviving,” IG analyst Chris Beauchamp said in a note. Sainsbury’s was the index’s biggest faller, down 6.3%, with its non-food divisions struggling as consumers cut back, followed by Admiral Group and BT, down 5.6% and 3.6% respectively. Berkeley Group, Intertek and Intercontinental Hotels were the highest performers, up 2.3%, 2.2% and 1.7% respectively.
Persimmon Delivers a Strong Update With Scope for Further Growth
1157 GMT – Persimmon’s year-end update came in better than expected, with new housing sales around 5% above JP Morgan estimates, driven by better-than-guided…
