news/AZN/2023.01.24/UK's FTSE 100 slips ahead of business activity data.txt

The blue chip FTSE 100 slipped 0.5% at 0825 GMT, while the domestically-inclined FTSE 250 midcap index rose 0.1%.Early losses in drugmaker AstraZeneca and GSK weighed on the FTSE 100, with both the stocks dropping 2.2% and 0.8%, respectively.Oil majors BP and Shell also added to losses, falling between 0.5% and 0.8%.Investors would be on the lookout for UK's January business activity data due 0930 GMT, a crucial pit stop in gauging the state of the economy heading into the Bank of England's (BoE) decision on interest rates next week.  (Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich)