FTSE 100 Slips After Record High as BoE Holds Rates

The FTSE 100 index closed lower on Thursday after hitting a new record high earlier in the day, as investors weighed a barrage of earnings and interest rate holds on either side of the Atlantic.

The blue-chip index dropped 11.14 points to 10,897.27, or 0.1%, following its intra-day high of 10,979.60.

The Bank of England's decision to leave interest rates unchanged in a split vote was also on investors' minds, with six out of nine members voting for no change at 3.75%.

Despite the BoE's hawkish tone, governor Andrew Bailey downplayed the idea that the central bank is edging towards a rate hike, and analysts said this meeting has solidified the Bank's 'active hold' stance.