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UK's FTSE 100 slips ahead of Fed outcome, energy stocks weigh

Britain's FTSE 100 slipped on Wednesday, led by decreases in energy stocks, while investors grew mindful ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the day, expecting hints on its interest rate course.

The blue-chip index closed down 0.3%, while the mid-cap FTSE 250 ended off 0.2%.

Heavyweight oil and gas shares slipped 1.7%. as oil costs fell over 2% to a seven-week low, weighed down by. a surprise integrate in U.S. crude stocks, the prospect of a Middle. East ceasefire arrangement and consistent U.S. inflation.

As inflation remains stubbornly above the U.S. main. bank's 2% yearly target, the Fed is almost particular to hold its. benchmark overnight rates of interest constant in the future Wednesday.

Nevertheless, investors wait for remarks from Fed Chair Jerome. Powell that might give clearer insights into the reserve bank's. view on possible rate cuts.

The question is what the Fed can say to improve hopes ... even the optimism of the FTSE 100 was no match for the familiar. weight of tired expectation, said Danni Hewson, head of. monetary analysis at AJ Bell.

Money markets now expect 30 basis points (bps) of U.S. rate cuts this year, down from the initial price quote of 150 bps. in 2024, according to LSEG information.

Traders anticipate around 38 bps of rate cuts from the Bank of. England and almost 60 bps from the European Central Bank this. year, easing pressure on European stock markets compared to. those in the U.S.

Meanwhile, British production fell back into contraction. in April and cost pressures intensified, though the rate of. decrease was a little less marked than very first feared, a study. revealed.

In business updates, GSK advanced 1.9% after the. drugmaker raised its full-year earnings forecast and said its. sales would be greater in the first half of the year.

Shell has actually left China's power markets as part of. CEO Wael Sawan's drive to focus on more rewarding operations,. taking its shares down 1.5%.

Haleon fell 2.5% after the consumer health care. company's first-quarter earnings missed out on quotes.

Dragging UK midcap stocks lower, Aston Martin. dropped 6.7% after the high-end carmaker posted a bigger than. anticipated first-quarter pretax loss.

(source: Reuters)