FTSE 100 down 0.2, FTSE 250 off 0.5
U.S. jobs data at 1330 GMT
Croda falls after MS cuts rating

Jan 10 Reuters British equities slipped on Friday, with financial sectors such as insurance and lenders leading losses ahead of the U.S. jobs data, due later in the day, which could offer clues on the Federal Reserve39;s interest rate trajectory for the year.

The bluechip FTSE 100 slipped 0.2 as of 1029 GMT but was set for its third straight weekly advance. The more economicallysensitive midcaps dipped 0.5, hovering near its lowest level in over eight months.

Insurers dropped 2, with those having a large exposure to the Los Angeles wildfires such Beazley and Hiscox leading losses. Banks lost 0.9.

Oil and gas was a bright spot, adding 1.2 as crude prices ticked higher.

Investors were mainly focused on the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report, which is expected to show job growth likely slowed to a stillhealthy clip in December while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2, reinforcing the Fed39;s cautious approach toward interest rate cuts this year.

Midcap stocks have been pressured by a sharp rise in British borrowing costs this week on concerns about high borrowing in Britain and higher taxes on businesses planned by finance minister Rachel Reeves.

Yields on UK government bonds remained elevated on Friday, with the one on the 10year gilt hovering near its highest level since 2008, while the 30year stood at its highest level since 1998.

Among individual stocks, Alliance…