FTSE 100 down 0.2, FTSE 250 off 0.4
Halma jumps after fullyear revenue, core profit beat
BT up after Mexican magnate Carlos Slim takes stake
Crest Nicholson slumps after annual profit warning

June 13 Reuters British stocks edged lower on Thursday as the U.S. Federal Reserve projected fewer rate cuts this year, although a slew of corporate updates limited further losses.

The bluechip FTSE 100 was down 0.2 after seeing their best day in over a month in the previous session.

The midcap FTSE 250 dipped 0.4.

The Fed kept rates unchanged on Wednesday, as expected, but pushed out the start of rate cuts to perhaps as late as December.

Additionally, data showed U.S. consumer prices were unexpectedly unchanged in May. Despite this, Fed officials revised their interest rate reduction forecast to just one quarterpoint cut this year.

U.S. producer price figures later in the day will also draw significant attention.

The Bank of England meets next Thursday to take a call on borrowing costs.

The Fed dot plot suggests rates staying higher for longer, but the Bank of England is likely to cut earlier and a bit more aggressively than the U.S. because the UK economy has bottomed out, said Thomas Gehlen, senior market strategist at SG Kleinwort Hambros.

Among individual stocks, Halma jumped 8.9 after the technology firm beat estimates for fullyear revenue and core profit.

BT was up 2.2 after Mexican magnate Carlos Slim took a 3.16 stake in Britain39;s biggest broadband and…