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U.K. stocks traded lower on Thursday amid growth worries after a survey showed British services growth cooled to a six-month low in July. <\/p>\n
Investors also awaited the Bank of England’s rate decision later in the day after the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank lifted benchmark rates last week.<\/p>\n
Today’s decision is likely to be a close call between a 25 basis-point and a 50 basis-point hike. The announcement is due at 7.00 am ET. <\/p>\n
The bank will also release its quarterly monetary policy report along with the policy decision.<\/p>\n
The benchmark FTSE 100 was down 104 points, or 1.4 percent, at 7,457 after declining 1.4 percent the previous day. <\/p>\n
Miners led losses, with Anglo American, Antofagasta and Glencore all falling around 2 percent. <\/p>\n
Energy giants BP Plc and Shell both were down around 1 percent as oil price fell further from more than three-month highs despite data showing a historic drop in U.S. crude inventories. <\/p>\n
Rolls-Royce shares rose about 1 percent after the aero-engineer reported a jump in first-half profit, led by a large improvement in its civil aerospace margin. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Market Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n