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* FTSE 100 down 0.2%, FTSE 250 down 0.8%
* PM Johnson stokes hard Brexit fears
* Unilever biggest blue-chip decliner
* Boeing suppliers, airlines slip after 737 MAX suspension
Dec 17 (Reuters) - UK firms more exposed to the domestic
economy took a hit on Tuesday after reports that Prime Minister
Boris Johnson will pass a law that could re-ignite fears of a
hard Brexit, while Unilever slipped 5% after cutting its 2019
sales growth view.
Johnson is likely to block the extension of a Brexit
transition deal with the European Union beyond 2020. That pushed
the FTSE 100 .FTSE 0.2% lower, with banks such as Lloyds
LLOY.L and housebuilders .FTNMX3720 dragging the most.
The midcap FTSE 250 .FTMC , whose components generate most
of their earnings at home, fared worse and gave up 0.8%. The
index had hit successive all-time highs in the last two sessions
after Johnson's election victory seemingly cleared a path for
Brexit.
Shares of Boeing BA.N suppliers as well as those of
airlines skidded after the U.S. company suspended production of
its 737 MAX jetliner. Senior Plc SNR.L fell 4%, while British
Airways owner IAG ICAG.L dipped 2.6%.