FTSE 100 Slumps as Investors Await Bank of England Rate Decision

The FTSE 100 index opened lower on Thursday, reaching 14,160. This modest move is significant due to the Bank of England's upcoming rate decision, which will have a substantial impact on UK equities.

UK inflation has been running at 3.1%, and this figure is crucial for policymakers' decisions. Above-target inflation puts pressure on them to keep interest rates higher for longer, affecting rate-sensitive sectors that make up a significant portion of the index.

The Frankfurt DAX edged up while the Paris CAC 40 slipped, resulting in no shared direction among European markets and leaving London without regional momentum to rely on.