UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Holds Near 9,800 Ahead of Bank of England Rate Cut Decision (18 December 2025)
The FTSE 100 traded near 9,800, up 0.3% by 10:45 AM GMT, as investors awaited the Bank of England’s policy decision at noon. Retailers and defence stocks led gains, while miners and healthcare lagged. Markets expect a 25-basis-point rate cut after UK inflation dropped to 3.2% in November. The FTSE 100 is up about 20% year-to-date, on track for its best year since 2009.