FTSE 100 down 0.3%, FTSE 250 up 0.1%
UK GDP grew just 0.1% in Q3; Q2 revised lower to 0.2%
Beverage stocks lead declines
Gold miners hold gains as prices scale new peak
(Updates after market close)
Dec 22 (Reuters) - The FTSE 100 closed lower on Monday, after three straight days of gains, as data confirmed Britain’s economy grew at a sluggish pace last quarter.
The blue-chip index (.FTSE) ended down 0.3%, while the domestically focused midcap FTSE 250 (.FTMC) reversed early losses to close up 0.1%, holding near recent seven-week highs.
Official data showed GDP grew just 0.1% in the third quarter, in line with estimates, with April-June growth revised down to 0.2% from 0.3%. The figures suggest higher taxes and sticky inflation are weighing on activity, despite increased household spending and reduced savings.
Meanwhile, finance minister Rachel Reeves asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to publish an interim economic and public finance forecast on March 3.
Among sectors, consumer staples lagged, with beverage stocks (.FTNMX451010) down 2.8%. Spirits maker Diageo (DGE.L) fell 3.6%, the biggest drag on the blue-chip index, after Bernstein trimmed its target price to 2,310 pence from 2,420 pence.
Gold miners kept losses in check, benefitting from gold surging to an all-time high of $4,440.21/oz. Endeavour Mining (EDV.L) and Fresnillo (FRES.L) rose between 1.9% and 2.8%. (GOL/)
Despite Monday’s dip, the FTSE 100 is on track for its best year since 2009 with a 20.7% year-to-date climb, buoyed by defence and financial stocks. By comparison, Wall Street’s benchmark S&amp;P 500 index (.SPX) has risen 16.2% so far.
Among individual stocks, Rank Group (RNK.L) fell 5.1% after the British gaming company said its Spanish units had been victims of a 7.1-million-euro ($8.3 million) payment fraud.
Trading volumes usually taper off towards year-end with traders away on holidays and markets closed on December 25 and December 26.

The FTSE 100 fell 0.3% due to weak UK GDP growth of 0.1% in Q3, while the FTSE 250 rose 0.1%. Beverage stocks led declines, with Diageo dropping 3.6%. Gold miners gained as gold prices hit a record high. Despite the dip, the FTSE 100 is up 20.7% year-to-date. Rank Group fell 5.1% due to a payment fraud incident.

FTSE 100 dips on weak UK growth; gold miners shine