This morning, the blue-chip index was down 0.2% due to losses in base metal miners and a cautious stance from traders ahead of key US inflation data, which could influence the Federal Reserve's monetary policy outlook.

The consumer price index for February is due on Tuesday, with economists expecting an annual inflation rate of 3.1% and a monthly rate of 0.4%. These figures are expected to remain above the Fed's inflation target and could impact the long-term trajectory of interest rates. Markets are currently pricing in a first rate cut by the Fed in June.

In other news, Japan's economy narrowly avoided a technical recession at the end of 2023, with a slight GDP expansion of 0.1% in the last quarter, contrary to an initial estimate of a 0.1% contraction.

China reported a 0.7% annual increase in consumer prices for February, exceeding market expectations and marking a reversal from January's significant decline. This is the first consumer inflation rise since last August, driven by increased spending during the Lunar New Year holidays.

In Britain, the financial regulator will not object to investment exchanges launching UK-listed cryptoasset-backed exchange-traded notes.

Meanwhile, Britain's labor market showed a sharp slowdown in February, with the biggest drop in employer demand for staff since early 2021.

Among stocks, Currys dropped 8.6% after Elliott Advisors announced it does not intend to make an offer for the electricals retailer.

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