UK stocks close lower, hit by Wall St selloff on inflation data

By Bansari Mayur Kamdar, Johann M Cherian and Aniruddha Ghosh

(Reuters) -UK’s main equity indexes fell on Tuesday, echoing weak sentiment on Wall Street, as hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation data raised fears of larger interest rate increases to offset surging prices.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 dropped 1.2% to snap a three-session gaining streak, while the domestically focussed FTSE 250 index slid 1.8%.

The indexes had already been on shaky ground after data on Tuesday signalled a weakening UK job market even as the unemployment rate fell to its lowest since 1974.

The selloff gathered momentum in afternoon trading, with Wall Street’s main indexes plunging over 3% as data showed U.S consumer prices unexpectedly rose in August, giving cover for the Federal Reserve to deliver another hefty rate hike next Wednesday.

“The weaker pound has given a bit of support to the FTSE 100, but the higher bond yields and weaker global growth that typically result from tighter Fed policy are a difficult mix for UK equities too,” said Oliver Allen, market economist at Capital Economics.

Homebuilders were among the worst performers on the day, down 3.6% amid worries over affordability and weakness in labour market.

“Given the sensitivity of housing markets to higher interest rates, it makes some sense that homebuilders’ shares have underperformed,” Allen added.

The British central bank raised interest rates the most since 1995 last month. It is expected to increase them again on Sept. 22, with traders placing an 86% chance of a 75 basis-point hike. [IRPR]

Ocado Group and Marks & Spencer fell 14.6% and 3.8%, respectively, after their joint venture Ocado Retail downgraded its full-year outlook, saying customers are trying to navigate the cost of living crisis by buying fewer products or cheaper items. [FTNMX551020]

Retailers were also a weak spot on Tuesday, falling 3.5%.

Grocery inflation hit 12.4% in the four weeks to Sept. 4, another record, adding 571 pounds ($670) to the average annual grocery bill, according to market researcher Kantar.

(Reporting by Johann M Cherian, Bansari Mayur Kamdar and Aniruddha Ghosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Bernadete Baum)