Finance
UK stocks end higher as banks, home builders lead rally ahead of BoE rate decision
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 17, 2025
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on December 17, 2025
Dec 17 (Reuters) - UK stocks closed higher on Wednesday, led by gains in home builders and bank shares, as lower-than-expected domestic inflation reinforced expectations that the Bank of England will cut interest rates.
The UK's blue-chip FTSE 100 closed up 0.9%, rebounding after losses in the previous session. The midcap FTSE 250 index added 0.56% at close.
British inflation fell more sharply than expected to 3.2% in November from 3.6% in October, its lowest level since March, amplifying hopes of a rate cut by the BoE on Thursday.
The surprise decline, driven by lower food prices and Black Friday discounts, sent sterling down 0.25% against the dollar and increased odds of more rate cuts in 2026.
The FTSE 350 index of household goods and home construction stocks led gains, up 2.5%, helped by the expected rate cuts by the BoE.
Banks followed with a 1.9% rise, reaching their highest level since 2008. HSBC was up 2.4%, with traders pointing to a brokerage upgrade, while Barclays added 1.7%.
Medical equipment and services stocks were among the top gainers, up 1.9%.
Energy stocks jumped 1% after a sharp decline in the previous session, buoyed by elevated oil prices after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
The day's moves kept the FTSE 100 on track for its best year since 2009, climbing 19.6% year-to-date and outpacing Wall Street's benchmark S&P 500 index, which has risen 16.6% this year so far.
Among individual stocks, outsourcing firm Serco's shares jumped 7.4% to surpass a decade high after the company forecasted profit above analyst expectations for this year and the next.
(Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi and Nikhil Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed and Joe Bavier)
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. It is often measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom, responsible for issuing currency, maintaining monetary stability, and overseeing the financial system.
The FTSE 100 is a stock market index that represents the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange, reflecting the performance of the UK stock market.
Interest rates are the cost of borrowing money or the return on savings, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount. They are influenced by central bank policies.
A stock market rally is a period during which stock prices rise significantly, often driven by investor optimism, favorable economic indicators, or corporate earnings.
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