FTSE 100 slips as Nvidia earnings loom; US inflation weighs

London's FTSE 100 closed down 0.1% on Wednesday, falling 8.04 points to 10,878.12, as a stronger-than-expected US inflation reading dampened sentiment ahead of Nvidia's earnings release after Wall Street closed. The personal consumption expenditures price gauge rose 3.7% year-on-year in July, topping forecasts of 3.6%, while the core PCE index advanced 3.3%, matching consensus. US stocks made a subdued start, with the Dow and Nasdaq down 0.2% each, while the dollar climbed and the pound fell to 1.3590 dollars. Nvidia shares traded 1.1% lower before its earnings, with Bank of America noting the sales beat is priced in and balance sheet disclosures are the key debate. Oil majors BP and Shell fell 1.1% and 0.5% respectively as Brent crude dropped to 88.09 dollars a barrel, while Sage led FTSE 100 fallers, down 3.8%.