UK stocks open 0.2% lower as investors brace for key Brexit votes

UK stocks opened lower on Tuesday as local investors braced for key parliamentary votes on Boris Johnon's Brexit deal due to take place later in the day.

At 0845, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 10.45 points, or 0.2%, at 7.153.19.

Premier Inn hotel chain owner Whitbread pared early loses to rise 1.1% to 4,248p after it posted an expected 7.1% fall in first-half profit, driven by political uncertainty in the UK weighing on domestic travel demand.

Consumer goods giant Reckitt Benckiser dropped 5.3% to 5,561.89 as it slashed its annual revenue guidance.

Anglo American rose 1.5% to 1,968p, despite warning that its full-year copper and thermal coal production would be at the lower end of their guidance ranges.

The mining company also posted a 4% rise in overall third-quarter output.

Outsourcing company Bunzl shed 3.5% to 1,928.09p as a slowdown in its underlying revenue growth continued in the third quarter, owing to mixed macroeconomic and market conditions.

Wealth manager St. James's Place gained 0.3% to 1,015.5p after it recorded a 12% rise in third-quarter funds under management, owing to market performance and continued net fund inflows.

Builders' merchant Travis Perkins fell 0.2% to 1,487p as it posted 3.8% growth in third-quarter sales, thanks to a strong performance from its tools business and Wickes DIY chain.

Auto dealer Pendragon advanced 1.4% to 11.76p as it posted a rise in third-quarter profit after cost control helped buffer the company from a fall in sales. Still warning of annual loss.

Online travel company On the Beach added 1.4% to 443.01p on announcing that it had increased its investment in marketing to capitalise on the liquidation of rival Thomas Cook.

Musical equipment retailer Gear4music rallied 14% to 230p as its sales rose 16% in the first half of the year amid 'strong' international sales and a focus on higher-margin products.