FTSE 100 TREADS WATER AFTER UK INFLATION JUMP

THE UK’s FTSE 100 edged higher on Wednesday in a mixed session for European stock markets, as new data showed UK inflation jumped to the highest level in more than a year.

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The blue chip index rose 5.34 points, or 0.06%, to close at 8,786.46, with miners helping offset heavy losses for retailer JD Sports.

The FTSE 250 index, which is more UK-focused, fell 0.7% following higher-than-expected inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation leapt to 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March and the highest rate since January 2024, the ONS said.

The sharp increase reflected a raft of bills rising at the start of the month, including gas and electricity and water bills.