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LONDON (Alliance News) - The FTSE 100 failed to match European peers in ending in the green on Thursday, as the European Central Bank stood pat on its monetary policy as expected.On the London Stock Exchange, Reckitt Benckiser and Vodafone held back the large cap index while Sanne and Metro Bank staged recoveries in the midcap FTSE 250. The FTSE 100 closed down 23.93 points, or minus 0.4%, at 6,818.95.The FTSE 250 ended up 44.77 points, or 0.2%, higher at 18,627.63, and the AIM All-Share finished up 10.78 points, or 1.2%, at 917.76.The Cboe UK 100 ended down 0.3% at 11,592.60, while the Cboe UK 250 closed 0.2% higher at 16,666.94 and the Cboe UK Small Companies finished up 0.2% at 11,145.30. In mainland Europe, the CAC 40 in Paris and the DAX 30 in Frankfurt ended up 0.7% and 0.5% respectively. CMC Markets UK's David Madden said: "Stocks in Europe saw a lot of volatility today. The European Central Bank maintained their monetary policy, meeting expectations. "Mario Draghi, the head of the ECB, issued a statement that was on the dovish side. The central banker cautioned about risks to the downside, and said that stimulus is needed to sustain inflation." Madden continued: "Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce, issued a mixed statement in relation to Chinese trade. Ross claimed the two sides were 'miles and miles' away from ending the trade dispute, but he also said there is a fair chance China will get a trade deal. The major European indices are mixed as a result."Risks to the euro area growth are now tilted to the downside, thanks to persistent uncertainties such as protectionism, Draghi acknowledged on Thursday, after policymakers left the key interest rates and forward guidance unchanged."The risks surrounding the euro area growth outlook have moved to the downside on account of the persistence of uncertainties related to geopolitical factors and the threat of protectionism, vulnerabilities in emerging markets and financial market volatility," Draghi said in the introductory statement to his post-decision press conference in Frankfurt.Draghi blamed a slowdown in external demand, due to both country and sector-specific factors, for the weaker-than-expected incoming data."While the impact of some of these factors is expected to fade, the near-term growth momentum is likely to be weaker than previously anticipated," he said.Earlier on Thursday, the Governing Council, led by Draghi, left the key interest rates unchanged. The main refi rate is currently at a record low zero percent and the deposit rate at negative 0.40%. The marginal lending facility rate is at 0.25%."Draghi's comments today will disappoint those hoping for immediate action from the ECB," said Alastair George, chief investment strategist at Edison Investment Research."There appears to be a split within the ECB on the likely persistence of the eurozone slowdown, as the ECB meeting focused on the assessment of economic conditions rather than on what action to take now." "We think it was an uncharacteristically cautious performance by Draghi, given the clear evidence of a slowdown in the hard and soft data over the past few quarters," he added. "It appears markets will have to wait for a new ECB assessment and projections in March, before any move in the stance in ECB policy is forthcoming."Earlier Thursday, IHS Markit showed the eurozone's private sector expanded at the weakest pace in five-and-a-half years at the start of the year, led by a weaker pace of growth in both manufacturing and services, defying expectations for further improvement.The flash composite Purchasing Managers' Index dropped to a 66-month low of 50.7 from 51.1 in December, remaining just above the mark of 50 which separates expansion from contraction. Economists had forecast the reading to edge up to 51.4.The flash manufacturing PMI fell to a 50-month low of 50.5 from 51.4 in December, which was much weaker than the 51.3 reading economists had predicted. The flash services PMI eased to a 65-month low of 50.8 in January from 51.2 in December, again below expectations for a rise to 51.5.The euro was quoted at USD1.1324, down from USD1.1388 late Wednesday. The pound was quoted at USD1.3034, down from USD1.3073 at close on Wednesday.Theresa May has come under increased pressure to rule out a no-deal Brexit, as manufacturing giant Airbus warned it could lead to "very harmful" consequences for the UK.A string of union bosses who visited Downing Street for talks on May's Plan B for EU withdrawal urged the prime minister to take no-deal off the table or ask for an extension of the two-year Article 50 negotiation period.Business minister Richard Harrington declared he is happy to be sacked by the PM if she objects to him speaking out about the dangers of leaving without an agreement on March 29.Meanwhile, Chancellor Philip Hammond told a business audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos that a no-deal Brexit would be "a betrayal of the promises that were made" to voters in the 2016 referendum.Stocks on Wall Street were mixed Thursday at the London close, with the Dow Jones and the S&P 500 down flat and up 0.1% respectively while the Nasdaq Composite was 0.5% higher.Suggesting US economic growth may slow down this year, the Conference Board released a report on Thursday showing a modest decrease by its index of leading US economic indicators in the month of December.The Conference Board said its leading economic index edged down by 0.1% in December after rising by 0.2% in November. The slight drop by the index matched economist estimates."While the effects of the government shutdown are not yet reflected here, the LEI suggests that the economy could decelerate towards 2% growth by the end of 2019, said Ataman Ozyildirim, director of economic research at the Conference Board.This came as a report released by the Labor Department showed first-time claims for US unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell to their lowest level in almost fifty years in the week ended January 19.The report said initial jobless claims slid to 199,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level of 212,000.The drop surprised economists, who had expected jobless claims to rise to 220,000 from the 213,000 originally reported for the previous week.With the unexpected decrease, jobless claims fell to their lowest level since hitting 197,000 in November of 1969.On the London Stock Exchange, St James's Place ended up 2.2% after the wealth manager posted a robust set of annual results despite a soft fourth quarter.The blue-chip firm expects funds under management to have increased by 5.3% to GBP95.55 billion as of December 31 from GBP90.75 billion the year before. Net inflow of funds under management increased 8.1% to GBP10.28 billion from GBP9.51 billion in 2017, as St James's recorded an increase of 7.5% in gross inflows of GBP15.70 billion from GBP14.70 billion."Against the particularly difficult market conditions that prevailed in the final quarter and compared to an exceptional outcome in 2017, I am pleased to report another good set of results that demonstrate the resilience of our business," said Chief Executive Andrew Croft.Croft added whilst the final quarter of the year began strongly, inflows weakened in November and December, resulting in gross inflows for the fourth quarter of GBP3.95 billion which he described as "robust" though "slightly lower" than what was achieved in the same period a year ago.Reckitt Benckiser ended down 3.3% as Jefferies downgraded its rating on the Nurofen painkiller maker to Underperform from Hold.Vodafone was also among the losers, ending down 3.5%, which AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said indicated investors may have "low expectations" for its third-quarter results on Friday.Vodafone plans to invest at least a further GBP1.2 billion in its Indian joint venture through a right issue.In an announcement made by its Indian joint venture Vodafone Idea on Wednesday, a rights issue worth INR250 billion will take place.Of this, Vodafone has agreed to invest a further INR110 billion - or GBP1.2 billion. Joint venture partner Aditya Birla will invest a further INR72.5 billion through the rights issue.In the FTSE 250, Sanne ended 9.5% higher, having closed on Wednesday down 18% following the departure of Chief Executive Dean Godwin.Metro Bank finished up 10% as the challenger bank likewise got some respite following Wednesday's 39% rout of its shares.Takeaway platform Just Eat closed up 2.4% after JPMorgan upgraded its rating on the stock to Overweight from Neutral.Euromoney Institutional Investor ended down 1.7% after Peel Hunt cut its rating for the stock to Add from Buy.Restaurant Group finished down 2.9% after the dining chain reported a dip in annual like-for-like sales in what it described as a "pivotal" year.For 2018, the pub and restaurant owner and operator reported like-for-like sales down 2.0%. Total sales however, including one week of trading from recently acquired Wagamama, were up 1.0%.Restaurant Group, which owns dining brands such as Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito, and Garfunkel's, acquired pan-Asian restaurant chain Wagamama last November in a GBP357 million deal, and closed the acquisition in December.On London's junior AIM market, shares in Fevertree Drinks ended 13% higher as the premium carbonated mixers firm said its results for 2018 are expected "comfortably" above board forecasts.For 2018, the tonic water maker expects revenue of GBP236 million, up 39% from GBP170.2 million last year due to a "strong" UK sales performance, with revenue in the region up 52%, driven by an "outstanding summer trading period"."The relationship with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits continues to develop well, and the group is confident that the exclusive on trade agreement signed with them in the second half, alongside the positive progress seen in the off-trade, provides an excellent platform for further growth in 2019," said Fevertree.The UK corporate calendar Friday has trading statements from Irn Bru-maker AG Barr and fashion firm Bonmarche. In a quiet economic calendar on Friday, the World Economic Forum in Davos will have its final day. Gold was slightly lower, quoted at USD1,282.20 an ounce at the close Thursday against USD1,285.30 at Wednesday.Brent oil was quoted at USD61.08 a barrel, higher than USD60.83 late Wednesday.