FTSE 100 Live: Shares slip, retail sales slightly below forecasts, CMA gives thumps up to fresh Microsoft deal

Consumer confidence is its strongest since January 2022 after the monthly index compiled by GfK improved by four points to minus 21. The upturn in optimism has been driven by expectations for the UK economy in the coming year, which increased six points, and by a four-point boost to the major purchase measure. The index measuring changes in personal finances rose two points at minus 13, some 15 points better than a year ago.