FTSE 100 Slips 0.13% as UK Inflation Holds Steady at 2.8%

UK stocks edged lower as investors weighed May CPI data that held steady at 2.8%, below the 3.0% forecast, yet services inflation accelerated to 3.7%. The mixed print kept expectations for Bank of England rate cuts in check ahead of Thursday’s decision, pushing the FTSE 100 down 0.13% while the earlier reading showed a 0.14% decline to 10,479.77. Positive offsets came from 3.8% annual house-price growth and gains in banking stocks, though weaker oil prices below $79 added to the cautious tone.