The outlook for UK interest rates remains in focus after traders signalled yesterday they expect the Bank of England to begin tightening monetary policy in November.
The stronger pound put pressure on dollar earnings stocks in the FTSE 100 index, which was broadly unchanged after earnings optimism had earlier helped global markets to survive the blow of Monday's below par China GDP figures.
In corporate news, price comparison site Moneysupermarket hit the acquisition trail with the purchase of cashback business Quidco for up to £101 million.
