FTSE 100 down 0.2; FTSE 250 down 0.4
Reckitt up after Q3 results
BoE39;s Bailey to comment at 1845 GMT

Oct 23 Reuters London39;s benchmark index extended declines for the fourth straight session on Wednesday, with the upcoming UK budget and the U.S. election prompting investors to shy away from risk assets, while industrial metal miners dragged the index lower.

The bluechip FTSE 100 declined by 0.2 to 8,264.5 points by 1000 GMT, while the domestically focussed FTSE 250 index fell by 0.4. Both touched oneweek lows in the previous session.

Industrial metal miners lost 1.2 as copper prices slipped, pressured by a stronger U.S. dollar. .

Precious metal miners rose 0.8 as demand for safehaven assets jumped, and gold hit a recordhigh.

The prospect of another Trump presidency has been in focus for investors, pushing them to the sidelines until further clarity. Trump39;s policies include tariffs and restrictions on undocumented immigration, among other measures, that are expected to push up inflation.

Meanwhile, the Bank of England meets in two weeks to take a call on interest rates, with the markets fully pricing a rate cut in November, and seeing a likely further rate cut in December.

Annual consumer price inflation eased to 1.7 in September, the lowest reading since April 2021, data showed last week.

Traders awaited remarks by BoE Governor Andrew Bailey due later in the day that could affect expectations of the central bank39;s rate cut path.

Investor focus is also…