FTSE 100 scores third straight win after weak retail sales throw August rate hike into question

U.K. stocks ended higher on Thursday and the pound tumbled after disappointing British retail sales stoked speculation the Bank of England may refrain from hiking interest rates in August.

What are markets doing?

The FTSE 100 index UKX, +0.10% �rose 0.1% to close at 7,683.97, marking a third straight session in positive territory.

Sterling GBPUSD, -0.2448% �slumped to an intraday low of $1.2958, hitting its lowest dollar level since early September last year. A weaker pound can boost the FTSE 100, as many of the index��s multinational companies generate most of their sales in other currencies.

What is driving the market?

The pound slump and FTSE rise came after a disappointing reading on U.K. retail sales in June. Sales fell 0.5% month-on-month, missing forecasts of a 0.3% rise. The quarterly data, however, painted a more rosy picture, with sales up 2.1% in the second quarter �� the largest increase since February 2015, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The mixed report comes after June inflation numbers out Wednesday missed forecasts, coming in at 2.4% versus the 2.6% expected. The disappointing reading raised questions as to whether the BOE will hike rates at its Aug. 2 meeting, as has been widely expected. Analysts said, however, that the central bank is still seen as raising rates next month, but then stay quiet on the tightening front for a while.

What are analysts saying?

��The latest retail sales data for June present a confusing picture for Mark Carney but he��s unlikely to lose much sleep over them. The wide range of forecasts ahead of today��s 0.5% reduction compared with May underscore the difficulty in reading much into the short-term signals from the High Street,�� said Tom Stevenson, investment director for Personal Investing at Fidelity, in a note.

��With only a short time to go before the next Monetary Policy Committee meeting, these figures probably won��t change the bank��s calculations. These will continue to focus on weaker-than-expected inflation and wage growth. An August rate hike is in the balance; whether or not one is delivered, the trajectory thereafter will be extremely shallow.��

Which stocks are in focus?

Shares of WPP PLC WPP, -2.93% �slid 2.9% after the advertising giant��s competitor Publicis Groupe SA PUB, -8.78% �missed revenue forecasts for the second quarter. Publicis shares closed down 8.8% in Paris.

SSE PLC SSE, -2.35% �fell 2.4% after the utility company reported core earnings below expectations, saying warm weather had weighed on gas demand.

Unilever PLC ULVR, +3.03% UL, +2.97% �rose 3% even after profit at the consumer goods giant declined in the first half of 2018.

Anglo American PLC AAL, -4.08% �gave up 4.1% after a production update. Overall, miners posted losses in London, tracking a selloff in metals prices. Shares of BHP Billiton PLC BLT, -1.85% BHP, -2.53% BHP, +0.12% �closed 1.9% lower, while Rio Tinto PLC RIO, -1.19% RIO, -2.70% RIO, +1.40% �fell 1.2%.

Sara Sjolin

Sara Sjolin is a MarketWatch reporter based in London. Follow her on Twitter @sarasjolin.

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Comment Related Topics United Kingdom London Stock Exchange London Markets Bank of England Europe European Markets Quote References UKX +7.69 +0.10% GBPUSD -0.0032 -0.2448% WPP -34.50 -2.93% PUB -5.12 -8.78% SSE -32.50 -2.35% ULVR +127.50 +3.03% UL +1.63 +2.97% AAL -69.00 -4.08% BLT -30.80 -1.85% BHP -1.26 -2.53% RIO -49.00 -1.19% Show all references MarketWatch Partner Center Most Popular One chart puts mega tech��s trillions of market value into eye-popping perspective Dennis Gartman: An ��exaggerated�� and ��stunning�� rally could be on the way Why Trump isn��t backing down in the trade fight �� in one chart Chase and Southwest have a new travel credit card, but is it a good deal? Thai Cave Rescue Boys Recount Their Ordeal Community Guidelines �� FAQs BACK TO TOP MarketWatch Site Index Topics Help Feedback Newsroom Roster Media Archive Premium Products Mobile Company Company Info Code of Conduct Corrections Advertising Media Kit Advertise Locally Reprints & Licensing Your Ad Choices   Dow Jones Network WSJ.com Barron's Online BigCharts Virtual Stock Exchange Financial News London WSJ.com Small Business realtor.com Mansion Global

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