**U.K. Stocks Decline Amid U.S. and Chinese Growth Concerns**
**Service Sector Activity at Four-Month High**
U.K. stocks experienced a decline on Wednesday, driven by worries over slowing growth in the U.S. and China.
However, the U.K. service sector showed promising signs of expansion, recording its fastest growth in four months. This was attributed to the sustained post-election boost in business activity and new work in August, coupled with easing inflationary pressures, according to final survey data from S&P Global.
The S&P Global Services Purchasing Managers' Index increased to 53.7 in August, up from 52.5 in the previous month. The initial estimate had been 53.3.
The FTSE 100 benchmark index fell by 64 points, or 0.8%, settling at 8,234, following a 0.8% decline on Tuesday.
Energy stocks were notably affected, continuing their decline from Tuesday due to demand concerns. BP Plc saw a reduction of 0.7%, while Shell dropped by 1.1%.
Additionally, housebuilder Barratt Developments reported a 2% decline after announcing a 75% drop in profits for the year ending in June.
In the insurance sector, Direct Line Insurance fell by 1.2% following a below-expectation first-half performance.
