AstraZeneca down on report of China business spin off plan
Inflation data, BoE rate decision due this week
Fashion retailer Next up on guidance raise
FTSE 100 down 0.7, FTSE 250 off 0.9

June 19 Reuters The UK39;s resourcesheavy benchmark index slipped on Monday, dragged by mining stocks which tracked metal prices lower, while shares of pharmaceutical major AstraZeneca slipped on a report of the drugmaker39;s plans to spin off its China business.

The FTSE 100 slipped 0.7 as miners of both industrial metals and precious metals slipped 1.8 and 1.7, respectively.

A firmer dollar weighed on copper and gold prices, while a lack of detail on economic stimulus in top consumer China further dented sentiment.

A Reuters survey showed that China is widely expected to cut key lending benchmarks on Tuesday as authorities seek to shore up a slowing economic recovery.

AstraZeneca fell 1.2, dragging the healthcare sector down 1.1 on the report saying the company plans to spin off its China business and is considering a separate unit listing in Hong Kong.

The FTSE 250 midcap index also fell, by 0.9.

Investor focus will remain on domestic inflation data due Wednesday to assess the state of economy, leading up to the Bank of England39;s decision on monetary policy on Thursday, with traders almost fully pricing in another 25basispoint hike.

For the BoE, the May inflation print will do little to shift the Monetary Policy Committee39;s thinking around a June rate hike as we believe…