1. UK inflation eases to 30-month low
“Food prices were the main driver of the fall, with prices almost unchanged this year compared with a large rise last year, while restaurant and café price rises also slowed,” said Office of National Statistics chief economist Grant Fitzner.
2. BoE rate hike hopes boosted, economists say 'toss up' between June, August
Today's inflation data provides good news for the Bank of England's monetary policy committee meeting on Thursday and raises hopes of a first interest rate cut in coming months, economists said.
3. Prudential profits bolstered by Africa and Asia performance
In China, where slow post-pandemic economic recovery has caused uncertainty for Prudential, new business profit came to $1.87 billion compared to $912 million in 2022.
4. FTSE 100 dips into red at close
The FTSE 100 ended the day one point lower at 7,737.
5. Rail workers to strike across UK in April
Aslef union members working for rail operators across the country will strike between Thursday 4 to Saturday 6 April and then from Monday 8 to Tuesday 9 April.