UK’s FTSE 100 slipped on Wednesday as a rise in industrial mining stocks was offset by a drop in shares of Reckitt after the company missed quarterly sales expectations.
The FTSE 100 declined 0.2% while the mid-cap FTSE 250 edged down 0.1% at 0707 GMT.
Industrial metal miners climbed 0.8% and were the top sectoral gainers, as prices of copper rose on China’s decision to roll out fresh stimulus measures.
However, Reckitt lost 2.7% after the Dettol maker reported quarterly like-for-like sales below estimates.
The news sent personal care, drug and grocery stores index falling 0.6%. Lloyds Banking Group reported third-quarter profit broadly in line with forecasts.
FTSE 100 flat as Barclays drags, miners cap losses
The stock slipped 1.7%, while the broader banks index declined 0.5%.
Shares of Essentra dropped 10% to the bottom of FTSE 250 after the plastic and packaging component supplier forecast adjusted profit towards lower end of expectations.
Heavyweight oil and gas shares fell 0.4% as concerns about slowing European demand weighed on the sector.