FTSE 100 Live: London stocks break deadlock, as M&S and defence stocks gain

UK inflation eased to 2.8% in April, reinforcing a softer price backdrop for markets and policy expectations. The FTSE 100 was up 71 points at 10,401, while investors also focused on results from M&S, British Land, Experian and Severn Trent. The update is mainly macro-driven with some stock-specific earnings attention, but the article provides limited detailed figures beyond the inflation print.

Analysis

UK inflation eased to 2.8% in April, reinforcing a softer price backdrop for markets and policy expectations. The FTSE 100 was up 71 points at 10,401, while investors also focused on results from M&S, British Land, Experian and Severn Trent. The update is mainly macro-driven with some stock-specific earnings attention, but the article provides limited detailed figures beyond the inflation print.