The FTSE 100 inched higher on Wednesday, snapping a three-day losing streak after Tuesday’s 0.9% fall. Marks & Spencer led gains, jumping over 4% as data showed food sales up 8.5% in the 12 weeks to September 6, ahead of expectations, with its autumn fashion range also well received. Centrica rose more than 3.5% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to overweight, naming it its top UK utility pick thanks to capital deployment in projects like Sizewell C and the Grain LNG terminal. Barratt Redrow gained 2.5% as adjusted profits topped forecasts, though the housebuilder flagged budget-related uncertainties. On the downside, AstraZeneca slipped 0.7% after its asthma drug Fasenra failed a second COPD trial. On the macro front, UK CPI held at 3.8% y/y in August, matching July’s 18-month high and forecasts. Along with steady jobs data, this left BoE rate expectations little changed, with just 8 bps of cuts priced by year-end. Investors now await the Fed’s expected 25 bp cut later today.