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London pre-open: Stocks seen lower ahead of BoE rate announcement
London stocks were set to fall at the open on Thursday as investors digested the latest rate decision from the US Federal Reserve and looked ahead to the Bank’s of England’s policy announcement.
Thursday newspaper round-up: John Lewis, Klarna, Spotify
John Lewis is working on plans for a massive reduction in the size of its London flagship store, converting entire floors into offices, as shoppers switch to buying online and the crisis on British high streets turns into a fight for survival amid the Covid pandemic. The staff-owned department store has applied for planning permission to switch up to three floors of its landmark Oxford Street store – which currently house children’s ranges, electrical goods, kitchen and bathroom departments as well as dining areas – into office space for rent.
US close: Markets finish mixed as FOMC keeps rates near zero
Wall Street stocks closed mixed on Wednesday, as the Federal Open Market Committee signalled that interest rates would stay where they are near zero through until 2023.
Sector movers: Headwinds from pandemic hit Aerospace and Food Retailers
Aerospace and Defence issues were at the bottom of the pile on Wednesday amid still dour investor sentiment towards the sector.