UK equities were largely unchanged on Thursday, with the pound edging lower and European indices delivering a mixed performance as investors digested the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate reduction.

By 08:18 GMT, the FTSE 100 was fractionally lower at –0.02%, while the pound eased 0.1% against the dollar, trading just above 1.33. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s DAX slipped 0.2%, whereas France’s CAC 40 inched up 0.08%.

UK roundup

Fresh data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) pointed to mounting strain in the UK housing market in November. The latest Residential Market Survey showed all near-term indicators turning negative, with nationwide house prices coming under gentle downward pressure. Analysts observed that estate agents showed little enthusiasm following the government’s recent Budget statement.

In corporate news, FirstGroup PLC (LSE:FGP) has purchased the UK sightseeing bus operations of RATP Développement SA for about £17 million, bolstering its First Bus network in both London and Bath. The assets include 63 buses split between the two cities, a freehold depot in Wandsworth, a leased facility in Keynsham, and around 190 employees.

Workspace Group PLC (LSE:WKP), the capital’s leading provider of flexible offices, said it has agreed to sell two lower-conviction properties for £11.8 million, consistent with their September 2025 valuation and reflecting a net initial yield of 5.7%.

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