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U.K. stocks declined on Friday as lower commodity prices due to the lack of Chinese stimulus measures dragged resource stocks. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, despite an improvement in consumer sentiment, U.K. retail sales logged a notable decline in June amid election uncertainty and poor weather, data showed.<\/p>\n
Retail sales decreased 1.2 percent month-on-month in June, in contrast to the 2.9 percent increase posted in May, the Office for National Statistics said. Sales were expected to log a moderate 0.4 percent fall.<\/p>\n
The large fall in retail sales in June reversed the jump in May and suggests that rising real incomes and improving sentiment have so far failed to translate into a significant increase in spending on goods, Capital Economics’ economist Andrew Wishart said.<\/p>\n
Separately, a monthly survey from GfK showed that British consumer sentiment improved in July.<\/p>\n
The consumer confidence index rose to -13 in July from -14 in June. The reading was seen at -12. <\/p>\n
The benchmark FTSE 100 was down 36 points, or 0.4 percent, at 8,168 after closing up 0.2 percent on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Miners Anglo American, Antofagasta and Glencore all fell around 2 percent on Chinese demand concerns. <\/p>\n
Energy giant BP Plc was little changed while Shell dipped half a percent. <\/p>\n
Warehouse giant SEGRO fell about 1 percent after selling a portfolio of four logistics warehouses in Italy for a total of \u20ac327 mln. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Market Analysis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n