FTSE 100 up 0.3, FTSE 250 adds 0.4
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ECB rate decision at 1215 GMT

June 6 Reuters British equities moved higher on Thursday, as investors awaited a widely expected rate cut by the European Central Bank, while companies that traded exdividend capped gains.

The bluechip FTSE 100 edged up 0.3 to 8,273.57 points, poised for a second consecutive day of gains. The pound held steady at 1.2781.

The midcap FTSE 250 was up 0.4, set to snap its twoday losing streak.

Investors awaited the ECB39;s monetary policy decision, due at 1215 GMT. Remarks from the central bank39;s president, Christine Lagarde, will be scrutinized for clues on the interest rate trajectory.

The ECB is going to be front and centre today, it39;s the first rate cut expected from the ECB since 2019 and investors will hope that provides a catalyst for other central banks to potentially start looking at cutting rates, Christopher Peters, trading floor manager at Accendo Markets said.

On Wednesday, the Bank of Canada led the charge among G7 nations by initiating its rate easing cycle.

The Bank of England, scheduled to convene in two weeks, is poised to align closely with the ECB39;s rate action.

Precious metal miners topped the FTSE 350 sectors as gold prices edged up ahead of U.S. nonfarm payrolls data.

John Wood Group surged 9.9 after the oilfield services and engineering…