London's FTSE 100 rose 0.9% to cross 9,770 on Wednesday, outperforming its regional peers, after softer-than-expected inflation data cemented expectations of a rate cut from the Bank of England on Thursday. Financials, especially those with a China focus, along with housebuilders, miners, and oil producers, lead the early gains. Leading the pack are Phoenix Group, HSBC, and Standard Chartered, followed by Barratt Redrow, Persimmon, and Land Securities.