(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 19 Jun - UK shares closed slightly higher after data showed that inflation eased ahead of tomorrow's policy decision by the Bank of England.

The BoE is widely expected to hold rates steady at 5.25%. A majority of economists polled by Reuters forecast a cut in August.

Meanwhile, data showed today that UK inflation consumer prices index (CPI) rose by 2.0% in the 12 months to May 2024, down from 2.3% in the 12 months to April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The reading, which is the last key economic measure ahead of national elections in July, matches the BoE's target of 2.0% in May.

On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.3% in May 2024, compared with a rise of 0.7% in May 2023.

Core CPI (excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) rose by 3.5% in the 12 months to May 2024, down from 3.9% in April.

Core CPIH grew by 4.2% in the 12 months to May 2024, down from 4.4% in April.

Among individual stocks, Warhammer maker Games Workshop rallied 9.17% at 10,300.00 pence it said it expects it full year profit to rise to no less than 200 million pounds from 171 million in the prior year.

UK telecom group Vodafone rose 1.42% at 71.64 pence after it said it sold an 18 percent stake in Indus Towers to repay its debts.

The London FTSE 100 closed up 0.17% at 8,205.11 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 19-06-24 18:19:40 (0618) 5 NNNN