Investor focus in London was on a slew of earnings, while central bank meetings in the UK and US provided further food for thought. The BoE's Monetary Policy Committee voted 6-3 to leave bank rate at 3.75%. The central bank has maintained rates in each of its five meetings this year, with the last change a quarter point in December. Despite the vote turning more hawkish, BoE governor Andrew Bailey played down the idea that the central bank is setting up a hike. "We took a decision today to leave bank rate unchanged, and that is the relevant conclusion."