FTSE 100 Up 1.6% BoE, ECB Hold

FTSE 100 jumped 1.6% on Thursday, with DAX up 1.3% and CAC 40 gaining 0.5% after BoE and ECB kept rates unchanged.
BoE held rate at 3.75% (8-1 vote) warning energy prices; ECB kept deposit rate at 2% as oil and gas costs rise.
UK inflation rose to 3.3% and is expected to climb further in 2026, prompting policymakers to “lean against” wage and price pressures.
UK firms gave Q1 updates: Unilever 3.8% sales growth, Metro Bank lending up to £5.5bn, Whitbread plans up to 3,800 cuts.