London midday: Gains erased as investors await ECB decision

The Footsie had erased most of the morning's gains by Thursday lunchtime, as investors awaited a policy rate decision in Europe and some jobless claims figures in the US later this afternoon.As expected, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee voted to maintain the Bank Rate at 0.5% at today's meeting and left its asset purchase programme unchanged at £375bn, the Bank announced at noon. Analysts at Investec said today that doubts over the momentum of the recovery suggest there will "still be some serious discussions over whether to sanction further asset purchases"."Our own view is that the economy will show some signs of life again over the next couple of months and that inflation will climb above 3% early next year, and so we do not expect the MPC to extend QE in 2013. But this could be a close run thing."Meanwhile, investors are also expecting rates to be kept on hold at this afternoon's meeting of the European Central Bank.Market strategist Ishaq Siddiqi from ETX Capital said this morning: "With Eurozone GDP confirmed to be contracting in the 3Q, there's a case for an ECB rate cut, but unlikely today with Mario Draghi likely to hammer home his message again that the ECB's OMT programme is ready for lift off."In the US, initial jobless claims are expected to have be 380,000 last week, down from the 393,000 reported the week before.Markets largely shrugged off yesterday's Autumn Budget from Chancellor George Osborne in which the government announced new figures that forecast a 0.1% contraction in UK GDP this year, before the economy grows by 1.2% next year.FTSE 100: Rolls-Royce and Sage provide a dragPower systems giant Rolls-Royce tanked after saying that it is to report to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) after matters of bribery and corruption involving so-called 'intermediaries' were discovered in Indonesia and China.Accountancy software group Sage was a heavy faller after yesterday's full-year results with Natixis downgrading the stock to 'neutral' this morning. UBS also cut its price target for the shares.UK lender Barclays gained after saying that it is to combine the majority of its African operations with Absa Group, saying it accelerates the 'One Bank in Africa' strategy and its goal to become the 'Go-To- bank on the continent.Emerging markets bank Standard Chartered was in demand after saying it is in on track to deliver another strong set of full-year results this year as it reiterated that it is near to settling claims over Iran-linked transactions with US authorities.Sector peer HSBC fell into the red on reports that it may pay a fine of £1.1bn in the US to settle charges from law enforcement authorities that it permitted money-laundering.Mining behemoth BHP Billiton advanced on rumours that it could be ready to make a $55-a-share cash offer for Alabama-based 'pure play' metallurgical coal producer Walter Energy. However, when contacted BHP remained tight-lipped, a spokesperson said: "It is market speculation and not something we care to comment on." FTSE 250: Premier Farnell jumps despite tough third quarterElectronics components supplier Premier Farnell was a high riser despite saying profit in the third quarter fell amid challenging market conditions.Packaging firm DS Smith rose after expressing confidence for the full year, with interims profits boosted by its acquisition of SCA Packaging on June 30th, although net debt levels have risen.Premier Oil fell after its 70%-owned Cyclone well in the North Sea had failed to strike oil. AIM-listed Antrim Energy owns the remaining 30% of the project.FTSE 100 - RisersAntofagasta (ANTO) 1,331.00p +2.70%Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,120.00p +2.38%Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) 281.30p +1.48%Intertek Group (ITRK) 3,131.00p +1.39%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 338.70p +1.32%Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,394.00p +1.31%G4S (GFS) 253.30p +1.20%CRH (CRH) 1,156.00p +1.14%Next (NXT) 3,689.00p +1.12%Evraz (EVR) 238.80p +1.10%FTSE 100 - FallersSage Group (SGE) 290.40p -3.33%Weir Group (WEIR) 1,821.00p -3.19%Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 885.00p -3.12%Pennon Group (PNN) 604.50p -2.34%Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 728.00p -2.08%Severn Trent (SVT) 1,550.00p -1.40%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 6,400.00p -1.23%Schroders (SDR) 1,613.00p -1.16%Resolution Ltd. (RSL) 242.70p -1.14%Wolseley (WOS) 2,863.00p -0.97%FTSE 250 - RisersPremier Farnell (PFL) 188.10p +6.21%Dixons Retail (DXNS) 27.63p +4.54%Imagination Technologies Group (IMG) 419.20p +4.54%Ruspetro (RPO) 83.55p +4.44%Renishaw (RSW) 1,885.00p +3.51%Electrocomponents (ECM) 211.20p +3.38%NMC Health (NMC) 177.40p +3.26%Elementis (ELM) 231.50p +3.21%Ted Baker (TED) 1,105.00p +2.98%Smith (DS) (SMDS) 219.70p +2.90%FTSE 250 - FallersJD Sports Fashion (JD.) 725.00p -3.33%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 50.25p -2.90%Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,367.00p -2.43%Savills (SVS) 469.30p -2.23%New World Resources A Shares (NWR) 269.30p -2.07%Diploma (DPLM) 500.00p -1.96%PayPoint (PAY) 857.00p -1.89%COLT Group SA (COLT) 100.40p -1.86%Laird (LRD) 217.60p -1.40%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 409.20p -1.40%BC