(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock
markets, click or type LIVE/ in a news window)*UK PMI falls at fastest rate in 2 years*Senior jumps after upbeat forecast*FTSE 100 down 0.4%, FTSE 250 adds 0.3%Jan 24 (Reuters) - UK's blue-chip index closed in the
red on Tuesday, with healthcare and commodity stocks leading
losses after data showed British private-sector economic
activity fell at its fastest rate in two years in January.The FTSE 100 closed the session 0.4% lower, with
drugmaker AstraZeneca and miner Glencore being
the top drags.The S&P Global/CIPS flash composite Purchasing
Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to 47.8 in January from 49.0 in
December, at the bottom end of economist forecasts, as
businesses blamed higher Bank of England interest rates, strikes
and weak consumer demand for the slowdown."The PMI wasn't particularly robust. It is a reminder
that 2023, from a macroeconomic perspective, is likely to be a
challenging year," said Richard Flax, chief investment officer
at Moneyfarm.The healthcare and mining
sectors fell 2.4% and 0.7% respectively.Separately, data showed Britain's government borrowed more
last month than in any December since monthly records began 30
years ago, reflecting the huge cost of energy support and
soaring debt interest linked to rising inflation."A difficult morning for the UK data-wise, as the
higher-than-expected borrowing figures highlight the tight
fiscal constraints the government is working under," said Stuart
Cole, head macro economist at Equiti Capital.Market participants are pricing in a 69.5% chance of a
50-basis-point hike by the Bank of England next week.Interest rate hikes are expected to continue with the U.S.
Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank coming out with
their monetary policy decisions next week.Senior surged 7.5% after the aerospace company said
its adjusted profit for 2022 is expected to exceed expectations,
pushing the FTSE 250 midcaps to close up 0.3%.Associated British Foods fell 2.0% after the group
cautioned economic headwinds may dent consumer spending in 2023.Aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce gained 3.0% to the
top of FTSE 100 after Exane BNP Paribas upgraded the stock to
"neutral" from "underperform" on the company having a balanced
risk-reward ratio.
(Reporting by Shashwat Chauhan and Shristi Achar A in
Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich, Krishna Chandra Eluri and
Mark Heinrich)