London Shares Start Week Higher Ahead of Inflation Data, Monetary Policy Move

11:58 AM EST, 12/15/2025 (MT Newswires) -- UK shares started the new week on a high note, with the FTSE 100 closing 1.06% in the green on Monday, as traders prepared to evaluate a slew of economic reports and the Bank of England's policy decision. "We expect the BoE to cut the Bank Rate by 25 [basis points] to 3.75%," said BofA Global Research. "The dovish November hold, encouraging inflation progress, a softening labor market/growth outlook and disinflationary measures in the Autumn Budget should support a cut in December, barring any significant upside surprises in inflation data next week." The November inflation report is due on Wednesday, a day before the interest rate decision. Deutsche Bank Research expects the headline consumer price index to soften to 3.51% year over year from 3.56% in October and the core gauge to rise to 3.46% from 3.38%. Additionally, investors will assess the labor market data for October and December PMI on Tuesday, the Confederation of British Industry's industrial trends orders on Wednesday, and the consumer confidence and retail sales reports on Friday. In corporate news, Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK.L) fell 0.86% after Chief Executive Officer Riad Mishlawi stepped down, passing the baton to Executive Chairman Said Darwazah. HSBC (HSBA.L) rose 1.17% after its offer to privatize Hang Seng Bank secured support from the target's independent board committee. Next, shareholders of the Hong Kong bourse-listed business will consider the resolutions relevant to the scheme during the general and court meetings scheduled for Jan. 8, 2026.