UK equities slip as investors assess mixed earnings, economic data

July 25 (Reuters) - London's main stock indexes slipped on Friday as investors assessed a mixed bag of corporate earnings and awaited updates on EU-U.S. trade talks.

The internationally oriented FTSE 100 .FTSE fell 0.3% as of 0939 GMT, pulling back from its all-time peak reached on Thursday, but was on track to register its fifth straight weekly gain. The midcap FTSE 250 index .FTMC also lost 0.3%.

Data showed British retail sales rose by 0.9% in June, a partial rebound from May's 2.8% plunge which was the biggest fall since December 2023.

A survey showed consumer confidence dipped this month ahead of possible tax increases later this year and households added to their savings.

Construction and materials .FTNMX501010 stocks led the sectoral decline, falling 1.8%, dragged down by Marshalls MSLH.L, which tumbled 21.6%, on downbeat full-year adjusted pre-tax profit forecast.

Precious metal miners .FTNMX551030 lost 1.7%, tracking a fall in gold prices. Hochschild Mining HOCM.L fell 2.8%, Endeavour Mining EDV.L lost 1.3%, and Fresnillo FRES.L down 2.2%. Automobiles .FTNMX401010 rose 0.7%.

In corporate updates, NatWest NWG.L rose 1.9% after the lender said its profit increased by 18% in the first half and the company announced a new share buyback worth 750 million pounds ($1.01 billion).

Wizz Air WIZZ.L jumped 8.8% after Barclays upgraded the budget carrier to "overweight".

Close Brothers CBRO.L surged 8.6% after announcing the sale of its execution services and securities business, Winterflood, to Marex 8UU.F for 103.9 million pounds.

On the flip side, Rightmove RMV.L fell 1.2% after warning it expects sales growth in the second half of 2025 to be lower than the first half's 10%.

Jupiter Fund Management JUP.L fell 5.1% after the wealth manager reported lower half‑yearly pre‑tax profit.

Investors await to see whether the European Union can reach a trade deal with the U.S. before U.S. President Donald Trump's August 1 deadline.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will lobby Trump to accelerate a final deal to cut tariffs on British steel, the Financial Times reported.

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