Carnival soars (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - London, 25 Jun - UK shares closed lower amid downbeat global sentiment as investors look ahead to elections as well as central bank policy shifts.

Ahead of next months elections, polls show Labour well ahead of the Conservatives and Reform.

France will vote this weekend after French president Emmanuel Macron announced snap elections following the results of the European parliament elections. Last week the Bank of England left interest rates unchanged at a 16-year high of 5.25%, as widely expected.

Among individual stocks, Carnival jumped 9.35% at 1,251.00 pence after the cruise operator lifted its profit outlook following upbeat demand.

Meanwhile Rolls-Royce fell 1.12% at 466.00 pence after French aerospace and defence firm Airbus cut its profit forecasts.

Engine manufacturer Melrose slid 2.37% at 567.80 pence.

The London FTSE 100 closed down 0.41% at 8,247.79 points.

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(RADIOCOR) 25-06-24 18:14:02 (0624) 5 NNNN