FTSE 100 down 0.6%; FTMC up 0.1%
Weak British GDP data fuels rate-cut bets
(Updates to market close)
Dec 12 (Reuters) - London’s FTSE 100 fell on Friday, as a sell-off on Wall Street fuelled by AI angst spoiled the mood across European markets.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 (.FTSE) dipped 0.6%, retreating from gains of as much as 0.6%. The mid-cap FTSE 250 index (.FTMC) edged up 0.1%, also pulling back from early highs.
Both indexes recorded a second consecutive week of declines.
U.S. stocks tumbled as chipmaker Broadcom’s latest results added to concerns about a potential AI bubble, dampening optimism stoked by the Federal Reserve’s less hawkish signals on the path of interest rates in 2026. (.N)
British stocks were earlier buoyed by a surge in precious metal miners on the back of a rally in gold and silver prices.
The FTSE 350 index of precious metal miners (.FTNMX551030) jumped 5% to a record high before cutting gains. It closed up just 0.8%.
Attention now turns to the Bank of England monetary policy meeting next week, with markets pricing in a 90% chance of a 25 basis points rate cut following signs of a cooling labour market and inflation.
Data on Friday showed Britain’s economy shrank unexpectedly in the three months to October, losing momentum in the fraught run-up to finance minister Rachel Reeves’ budget, further supporting expectations for a rate cut.
Among stocks, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG.L) rose 2% after Jefferies upgraded the Holiday Inn owner to “buy” from “hold”.
WH Smith (SMWH.L) fell 2.1% after the travel retailer delayed the publication of its preliminary annual results for the second time.
Card Factory (CARDC.L) plunged 27.4% after the greeting cards and gifts retailer warned of a drop in annual profit due to lower-than-expected UK store sales and expectations that weak high street footfall could persist over the festive weeks.
Harbour Energy (HBR.L) rose 3.3% after the oil and gas producer said it had agreed to acquire all subsidiaries of Waldorf Energy Partners and Waldorf Production for $170 million.

London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.6% due to a Wall Street sell-off, while the FTSE 250 edged up 0.1%. Weak British GDP data fueled rate-cut bets. U.S. stocks tumbled over AI bubble concerns. Precious metal miners surged but trimmed gains. InterContinental Hotels rose 2% on an upgrade, WH Smith fell 2.1% on delayed results, Card Factory plunged 27.4% on profit warning, and Harbour Energy rose 3.3% on an acquisition.

FTSE 100 closes lower as Wall St mood sours