London stocks ended mixed on Tuesday as investors assessed an assorted bag of corporate earnings alongside economic data pointing to a slowdown in British business activity.
The benchmark FTSE 100 CURRENCYCOM:UK100 was down 0.04%, while the domestically focused FTSE 250 MCX gained 0.5%.
A survey showed British business activity slowed in early September, as companies reported a loss of momentum and confidence given the rising risk of tax increases later this year.
This follows Friday’s report showing Britons have turned more downbeat this month, with the prospect of tax increases in Finance Minister Rachel Reeves’ November budget threatening to further erode confidence.
Last week, the Bank of England held its benchmark interest rate at 4% and said it is monitoring for signs that inflation pressures are waning before it reduces borrowing costs again.
In the market, the broader healthcare sector (.FTNMX201030) declined…
