FTSE 100 falls as investors await UK, US central bank meetings

By Sanchayaita Roy

Sept 16 (Reuters) - London's FTSE 100 index fell on Tuesday, as investors weighed mixed corporate updates and stayed cautious ahead of central bank meetings, though gains in metal miners helped stem losses.

The benchmark FTSE 100 .FTSE was down 0.3% by 0949 GMT, while the domestically focused FTSE 250 .FTMC was flat.

Data showed on Tuesday that Britain's jobs market has lost a little more steam, potentially easing worries at the Bank of England about persistent inflation pressures.

The BoE is expected to keep interest rates on hold this week, having cut them in August.

"There is almost no chance of any change in rates from the BoE on Thursday, nor do we believe that the MPC will cut again before year-end. Macroeconomic data has evolved largely in line with the bank’s view since the last meeting," said Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at global financial services firm Ebury.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Reserve will kick off its two-day policy meeting later in the day, with markets pricing in a 25-basis-point interest rate cut announcement on Wednesday.

Among individual stocks, Haleon HLN.L fell the most in the FTSE 100, dropping 3.3% after Barclays downgraded the consumer healthcare group's rating to "equal weight" from "overweight."

Budget airline EasyJet EZJ.L fell 2% after JPMorgan downgraded the stock to "neutral" from "overweight" and placed it on negative catalyst watch.

Precious metal miners .FTNMX551030 rose 4%, the most among sectors, as gold prices hit a record-high. GOL/

Gold miner Fresnillo FRES.L was the top gainer in the FTSE 100 with a 4.1% rise.

Trustpilot Group TRST.L jumped 8.5% after the global review platform reported half-year results.

Additionally, U.S. President Donald Trump is due in Britain late on Tuesday for a second state visit at which the two nations will seal deals worth more than $10 billion.

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