The UK’s FTSE 100 ended the trading session largely unchanged as investors balanced a series of mixed corporate updates against new inflation data from the United States that shaped expectations for global interest rates.

The benchmark index hovered around the flat line for much of the day, reflecting a cautious mood in markets as gains in some heavyweight stocks were offset by declines elsewhere.

Corporate news provided no clear direction.

Shares in several consumer and industrial firms edged higher after issuing stable outlooks or reporting resilient demand, while weakness in parts of the mining, energy and retail sectors weighed on the index.

Investors appeared selective, responding to individual company signals rather than making broad sector-wide bets.

Attention was also focused on fresh U.S. inflation figures, which showed price pressures easing only gradually.

The data reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will proceed carefully with any future interest-rate cuts, a stance that has implications for global borrowing costs and equity valuations.

European markets, including London, took a measured view of the numbers, with limited immediate reaction.

Currency and bond markets remained relatively steady, offering little additional momentum to equities.

Analysts said the subdued close reflected a market waiting for clearer signals on monetary policy and corporate earnings before committing to a stronger directional move.

With major economic releases and earnings updates still ahead on both sides of the Atlantic, investors are expected to remain cautious in the near term, focusing on inflation trends, central-bank guidance and company-specific performance as key drivers of market direction.