FTSE 100 down 0.4; FTSE 250 down 0.2
British retail sales up 0.3 for September

Oct 18 Reuters London stocks opened lower on Friday as investors digested an unexpected rise in retail sales data, although both indexes were poised to break a twoweek losing streak, buoyed by anticipated Bank of England rate BoE cuts and healthy corporate updates.

The bluechip index was down 0.4 after closing at its strongest level since late May in the previous session, while the domesticallyfocused FTSE 250 index dropped 0.2 after hitting over a twoweek high on Thursday.

A 1.7 gain in the industrial metal miners sector kept losses at check, as copper prices rose due to China39;s stimulus measures.

Luxury brand Burberry39;s 3.6 gain boosted the personal goods sector to lead sectoral gains.

British retail sales figures on Friday showed an unexpected 0.3 rise in September, while analysts had forecast a monthly fall of 0.3.

The sterling ticked 0.4 higher after the data.

Consumerfocused stocks were the biggest drag on the benchmark, with heavyweight Unilever dropping 1.4, while British American Tobacco lost 1.6.

The Dunhill and Lucky Strike maker said a plan has been filed in a Canadian court to potentially resolve and settle its Canadian subsidiary39;s tobacco litigation.

Meanwhile, both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 were on track to break a twoweek losing streak. The FTSE 100 was poised for its best performance in over two months, while the FTSE 250 was set for its strongest week in…